Pro Basketball Talk on NBC Sports podcast
324 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★ - 36 ratingsKurt Helin and the team from ProBasketballTalk at NBCSports.com talk all things NBA basketball: news, analysis and even the ridiculous. Regular guests include NBA players and media members.
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Episodes
Durant drama: Is trade request bad for his hooper legacy?
August 18, 2022 03:27 - 44 minutes - 40.3 MBKevin Durant drama keeps unfolding like a good television series, and Corey Robinson and Kurt Helin of NBC Sports get into all of it: Durant's "the coach and GM or me" ultimatum to owner Joe Tsai, the stalled out negotiations, and how long things can drag out. Then the duo disagrees on what this says about Durant's legacy as a guy who puts the game first — did he tear down Brooklyn and ask out, or is this him wanting to compete and realizing he can't do it in Brooklyn? After that the conve...
Bill Russell's impact. Is Brown for Durant wise? Another international MVP?
August 04, 2022 00:06 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBBill Russell helped change the game on the court, but Corey Robinson of NBC Sports talks about the impact he had off the court and the respect other greats of the game (like Corey's father David) have for Mr. Russell. After that discussion, Corey and Kurt Helin get into the modern Celtics with a discussion of a potential Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant trade and whether that would be wise. The focus then turns to the MVP race and why so many international players are at the top of that list, a...
Corey & Kurt talk Mitchell trade, Westbrook's role, Ayton with Suns, more
July 21, 2022 02:16 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBIn what will be a new regular feature for NBC Sports PBT podcast, Corey Robinson — the son of NBA legend David Robinson and a former wide receiver for Notre Dame — and Kurt Helin talk all the news around the NBA. That includes trade talk, such as what should be the asking price for Donovan Mitchell and do the Jazz just want picks? The duo discusses if Russell Westbrook can find a role with the Lakers, and what the public statement from Westbrook's agent means. They get into Deandre Ayton's r...
Donovan Mitchell trade
July 15, 2022 15:02 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBThe Jazz trading Donovan Mitchell to the Knicks seems like a matter of when, not if. Dan Feldman and Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune discuss what the final trade might include, how New York will look with Mitchell, how Utah will look without Mitchell, the Rudy Gobert-Karl-Anthony Towns pairing with the Timberwolves, the misunderstood Royce O'Neale-Nets trade, reporting in the Mitchell saga and the root of Mitchell's dissatisfaction with the Jazz.
Mocking Nets-Lakers Kyrie Irving trade talks
July 07, 2022 03:19 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBWhat will the Nets do with Kyrie Irving? Dan Feldman and Nate Duncan of the "Dunc'd On" podcast hold mock trade negotiations between the Nets, Lakers and Mavericks:
PBT Podcast: Bird Rights Trap: The game
June 28, 2022 01:24 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBJohn Hollinger of The Athletic coined the term "Bird Rights Trap" to describe when a team can exceed the salary cap to re-sign a helpful player but wouldn't open cap space if the player leaves. Dan Feldman and Keith Smith of Spotrac analyze teams caught in the Bird Rights Trap this summer, making calls on whether they should pay up or let the player walk: 76ers: James Harden Wizards: Bradley Beal Bulls: Zach LaVine Suns: Deandre Ayton Hornets: Miles Bridges Mavericks: Jalen Brunson N...
PBT Podcast: Best and worst picks and fits of 2022 NBA Draft
June 24, 2022 08:01 - 42 minutes - 39 MBWhy did the Magic run a subterfuge campaign before drafting Paolo Banchero No. 1, and – more importantly – was he worth the top pick? Which teams drafted the best fits? How did the Knicks, Thunder, Pistons, Hornets, Grizzlies and 76ers do in their trades? Dan Feldman and Kurt Helin review the 2022 NBA Draft.
2022 NBA Draft prospect preview
June 21, 2022 18:32 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MBAuburn's Jabari Smith, Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren or Duke's Paolo Banchero? Dan Feldman and Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated discuss the big three prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft, several other players slotted for the first round and a couple sleepers.
The Warriors are your 2022 NBA Champions
June 17, 2022 07:29 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBWas it the Warriors' championship mettle and experience, or did the Celtics beat themselves? Or, was it just the fact Stephen Curry was just the best player in the series by a mile. Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman from NBC Sports sit courtside at the TD Garden in Boston not long after Golden State was crowned NBA Champions for the fourth time in eight years and talked about the Warriors' underrated defense, the greatness of Stephen Curry, the smart moves by Golden State in not making a big trade,...
NBA Finals Game 2
June 06, 2022 11:29 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBThe Warriors beat the Celtics in Game 2, tying the NBA Finals 1-1. Dan Feldman and Kurt Helin discuss Draymond Green's behavior, Stephen Curry's scoring and how Boston can adjust:
Warriors vs. Celtics NBA Finals preview
June 01, 2022 00:33 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBThe Boston Celtics vs. the Golden State Warriors for the NBA Title. It's a fitting matchup. There are fascinating storylines of franchise history, and it's a chess of player matchups. Stephen Curry with Marcus Smart on him, Jayson Tatum guarded by Andrew Wiggins. Kurt Helin of NBCSports.com and Mark Medina of NBA.com break down the Finals matchup, the history, and what it means for both franchises — and both predict a seven-game series.
Heat's weird sickness
May 26, 2022 17:07 - 50 minutes - 45.8 MBThe Heat trail the Celtics 3-2 in the Eastern Conference finals and look worn down. Yet, in a season that included an infamous blowup between Erik Spoelstra and Jimmy Butler, Miami made another deep playoff run behind its tremendous culture. Dan Feldman and Wes Goldberg of Locked On Heat preview the NBA Finals and discuss the Heat's present predicament and their future with Butler, Kyle Lowry, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and a potential additional star.
Magic lottery
May 18, 2022 08:17 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBThe Magic have won 11 playoff series in franchise history. All 11 happened with a player they drafted No. 1. After experiencing major success with 1992 No. 1 pick Shaquille O'Neal (and Penny Hardaway, who was acquired in a draft-day trade for 1993 No. 1 pick, Chris Webber) and 2004 No. 1 pick Dwight Howard, Orlando has once again won the NBA draft lottery. Will the Magic select Auburn's Jabari Smith, Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren or Duke's Paolo Banchero? Dan Feldman and Khobi Price of the Orl...
Bucks-Celtics and other Boston(-ish) topics
May 13, 2022 01:07 - 56 minutes - 52 MBDan Feldman and Jared Weiss of The Athletic discuss Celtics-Bucks, Sean Marks' comments on Kyrie Irving, Executive of the Year, Danny Ainge's task with the Jazz and the NBA naming conference finals MVPs.
NBA playoffs and other minutiae
May 05, 2022 10:07 - 1 hour - 60.2 MBAfter a blip, the Suns – up 2-0 on the Mavericks with Devin Booker healthy – have regained their status as championship favorite. The other three second-round series look far closer. Grizzlies-Warriors and Celtics-Bucks are each tied 1-1. Though the Heat are up 2-0 on the 76ers, Joel Embiid could return. Dan Feldman and J. Michael of the Orlando Sentinel discuss all four ongoing playoff series and a few side plots, including the Ben Simmons saga and Davis Bertans' contract. As mentioned o...
NBA championship race reset
April 28, 2022 11:39 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBThe Suns lost Devin Booker to injury. The Bucks lost Khris Middleton to injury. The Nets just lost. Meanwhile, the already-strong Warriors (with Stephen Curry getting healthier), Celtics (with Robert Williams getting healthier) and Heat (at least if Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry are healthy) look even better than expected. Not even a full round through the playoffs, the NBA championship race looks significantly different than how it began. Dan Feldman and Kurt Helin take stock and rank the ...
New stressors of instantly intense NBA playoffs
April 21, 2022 10:12 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MBJust five days into the NBA playoffs, the landscape is already shifting dramatically. Dan Feldman and James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star discuss who has had the pressure on them increase most since the playoffs began.
Handicapping NBA Playoffs with Drew Dinsick
April 15, 2022 01:22 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBThe NBA playoffs tip-off this weekend and it's the best time of the NBA season — and a chance for savvy betters to make some money. Drew Dinsick of NBC Sports Edge (@whale_capper on Twitter) joins NBC's Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) to break down all the first-round matchups. Are the Miami Heat undervalued by betters? Are the Milwaukee Bucks overvalued? Who comes out on top when Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the Nets take on the defensive-minded Celtics? Are the Toronto Raptors a threat to u...
2022 Utmost Improved Player
April 11, 2022 17:21 - 1 hour - 64.6 MBWhich NBA players have improved most during their careers? Dan Feldman gave his top 10 list for 2022 Utmost Improved Player. He and Brett Koremenos discuss their top candidates for the award.
All-NBA
March 31, 2022 11:18 - 1 hour - 81.9 MBThe All-NBA debate is already raging more than a week before the season ends. Dan Feldman and Michael Pina of Sports Illustrated give their picks.
Best and worst fits in NBA, 90s Knicks
March 24, 2022 09:42 - 2 hours - 113 MBI intended to talk only briefly with Chris Herring of Sports Illustrated about the 1990s Knicks. Those teams had such a strong identity – which fit some players exceptionally well… and others not so much. The plan was to pivot into the current NBA, ranking the players who fit best and worst with their current teams. But Herring's new book – "Blood in the Garden: The Flagrant History of the 1990s New York Knicks" – is so fascinating, we spent considerable time on the 90s Knicks. Then still ...
Overrated, underrated by stats
March 18, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 67.2 MBDan Feldman and "The Midrange Theory" author Seth Partnow – who also writes for the The Athletic and hosts "Callin Shots" – rank: Three NBA players most underrated by traditional box-score statistics Three NBA players most overrated by traditional box-score statistics Three NBA players most underrated by advanced statistics Three NBA players most overrated by advanced statistics
Russell Westbrook, 'Westbrick' and the point guard's future
March 11, 2022 01:35 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBRussell Westbrook wants to be treated with a certain level of deference. He wants the Lakers to keep his role prominent. He reportedly wants to leave Los Angeles this summer, even with the complication of his contract running through next season. And, most recently, he wants everyone to stop calling him "Westbrick" – publicly issuing a personal/appeal warning about how the nickname unacceptably shames his family. On the latest ProBasketballTalk Podcast, Dan Feldman and Berry Tramel of The ...
Ranking NBA's best-of-the-rest teams
March 03, 2022 10:58 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBFive teams have emerged as consensus favorites to win the 2022 NBA title: Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Nets and Brooklyn Nets. Does anyone else belong in that group? Eight other teams have at least a 98% chance of making the playoffs, according to The Ringer: Miami Heat (41-22) Chicago Bulls (39-23) Cleveland Cavaliers (36-26) Boston Celtics (37-27) Memphis Grizzlies (43-20) Utah Jazz (39-22) Dallas Mavericks (37-25) Denver Nuggets (36-26) On ...
How to fix NBA All-Star
February 17, 2022 15:25 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBThe greatest concentration of easily correctable NBA problems occur around All-Star. On the ProBasketballTalk Podcast, Dan Feldman and Michael Lee of The Washington Post fix NBA All-Star – from selecting rosters to Rising Stars to the dunk contest to the All-Star game itself:
NBA trade deadline
February 11, 2022 01:33 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBThe Nets-76ers James Harden-Ben Simmons deal was a monumental in-season trade. But that was hardly the end of the action. Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, Domantas Sabonis, Tyrese Haliburton, C.J. McCollum and more changed teams in the eventful leadup to the trade deadline. On the latest ProBasketballTalk Podcast, Dan Feldman and Kurt Helin discuss the flurry of NBA transactions:
Players most likely to get dealt before NBA trade deadline
February 03, 2022 10:20 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBBen Simmons has loomed over the NBA trade market for months. Jerami Grant, Harrison Barnes, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, John Collins are drawing plenty of attention now. There's even speculation about Bradley Beal getting dealt. But which NBA players are actually most likely to get traded before the trade deadline (Thursday, Feb. 10)? On the latest ProBasketballTalk Podcast, Dan Feldman and “Built to Lose: How the NBA’s Tanking Era Changed the League Forever” author Jake Fischer of Ble...
Should the Wizards trade Bradley Beal?
January 27, 2022 12:07 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBThe star everybody – including his own team – should be talking more about ahead of the trade deadline: Bradley Beal. Beal has shown significant loyalty to the Wizards. He continues to say how much he appreciates a franchise building around him, which wouldn't happen if he joins a super team elsewhere. There's something cool about a star spending his entire career with the same team, trying to hurdle rather than dodge any obstacles, even if it ultimately results in less success. The journey...
Ben Simmons trade parameters
January 21, 2022 16:41 - 1 hour - 81.2 MBAfter starting with about 30 trade targets, 76ers president Daryl Morey said he lowered his asking price for Ben Simmons and would now accept a "top-40 player who’s a great fit." Who cracks Philadelphia's list? Dan Feldman and Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia discuss which players the 76ers would trade Simmons for, which teams can trade for Simmons without including a core star, Michele Roberts spreading a rumor that a promise was made about trading Simmons and what happens after the...
Picking 2022 NBA All-Stars
January 13, 2022 21:43 - 40 minutes - 37 MBFor some reason, the NBA allows fans, players, other media, coaches and – if there's an injury – the commissioner say in picking All-Stars. Everyone should just listen to us. Dan Feldman and Kurt Helin select their All-Star rosters.
Mid-season awards: Talking MVP, Rookie of Year, more
January 11, 2022 20:52 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MBThe first half of the NBA season has gone by quickly, and to celebrate that midpoint it's time to talk NBA Awards, with Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports giving their picks. Stephen Curry was the early favorite to win MVP, but is he still? Evan Mobley impressed early on, but is he still the Rookie of the Year? Who is the Sixth Man of the year when so many bench players were forced into starting roles? Kurt and Dan get into all of that plus Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Ye...
Star or Not a Star?
December 23, 2021 18:53 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBPacers president Kevin Pritchard backtracked after saying the team needed to "manufacture that real star." After all, Indiana has Domantas Sabonis, who made the last two All-Star games and might be playing even better this season. But is Sabonis really a star? How about Hornets guard LaMelo Ball? Or Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram? Or Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? On the latest ProBasketballTalk Podcast, Dan Feldman and Rod Beard of The Detroit News play "Star or Not a Star?":
Key Dec. 15 additions to NBA trade market
December 14, 2021 22:52 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBDec. 15 is viewed as the unofficial start of NBA trade season. Though that date hasn't proven to be particularly significant, it is when most free agents who signed the prior offseason become eligible to be dealt. That opens numerous possibilities. Dan Feldman and Kurt Helin discuss the most intriguing players who can hit the trade market Dec. 15.
Future NBA stars
November 05, 2021 15:37 - 1 hour - 64.2 MBWhich NBA players who've never been All-Stars are most likely to become All-Stars at some point? Dan Feldman and Patrick Hayes give their top-10 lists.
Ben Simmons, mental health and a new status quo
October 29, 2021 07:15 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBBen Simmons told the 76ers he wasn't mentally to play, and they stopped fining him. Where will this détente lead? Dan Feldman and Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia discuss on the ProBasketballTalk Podcast.
NBA 75th anniversary team
October 22, 2021 17:42 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBThe NBA named 76 players to its 75th anniversary team. Time to argue about it. On the latest ProBasketballTalk Podcast, Dan Feldman and Kurt Helin discuss the biggest snubs, surprising inclusions, surprising exclusions, the entire 50 Greatest Players list making it, Andre Iguodala's top-20 endorsement of Kyrie Irving, several other borderline candidates (some in, some out) and players most likely to rise onto the 100th anniversary team:
2021-22 NBA season-preview challenge
October 18, 2021 12:08 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBWho will win NBA MVP? Probably not Luka Doncic. Probably not Giannis Antetokounmpo. Probably not Stephen Curry. Probably not Joel Embiid. Probably not Kevin Durant. Probably not Damian Lillard. Probably not LeBron James. Probably not Nikola Jokic. Probably not James Harden. Probably not Anthony Davis. At minimum, 90% of those predictions will be correct. Far better odds than naming a single player and him winning the award. Rather than take wild shots on single predictions for these wide-...
Talking Steve Kerr with Scott Howard-Cooper
October 05, 2021 12:03 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBSteve Kerr is expected to soon be named the USA Basketball head coach to succeed Gregg Popovich, but Kerr's journey to this place is unlike any other. Kerr was barely recruited out of high school as a player, ended up becoming a legend at Arizona under Lute Olsen, and went from being a second-round NBA pick to 15 years in the league, five rings, and a black eye from a punch from Michael Jordan. Kerr's life was not easy — his father was assassinated by terrorists in the Middle East while h...
NBA and coronavirus vaccination
October 01, 2021 17:30 - 59 minutes - 54.9 MBMagic forward Jonathan Isaac and Wizards guard Bradley Beal said plenty about coronavirus vaccines. As Kent Bazemore showed, there's value in engaging on the topic with people who aren't vaccinated. On the latest ProBasketballTalk Podcast, Dan Feldman and Cassie Scarfone – an infection preventionist and registered nurse in critical care with a masters in epidemiology from the University of Michigan School of Public Health – discuss vaccination within the NBA and the league's coronavirus po...
Grant Hill talks Hawks, new coach for USA Basketball
September 30, 2021 13:41 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MBDuke legend, basketball Hall of Famer, and now the president of USA Basketball Grant Hill joins Kurt Helin at NBC Sports to talk about a number of topics. that includes picking a new coach for USA Basketball in the next few months, plus what the Hawks need to do to build off last season.
NBA's most polarizing offseason (AKA talking Chicago Bulls)
September 21, 2021 21:00 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBThe Bulls added Lonzo Ball – a move highly praised in some corners (including this one) and deeply panned in other corners. The Bulls added DeMar DeRozan – a move highly praised in some corners and deeply panned in other corners (including this one). Dan Feldman and K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago discuss the Bulls' eventful offseason (which also included signing Alex Caruso and sign-and-trading Lauri Markkanen), Zach LaVine's future with the team and Chicago's larger plan dating back t...
What are the Cavaliers doing?
September 09, 2021 19:38 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBThe Cavaliers shortchanged their final year of title contention with LeBron James by not trading the Nets pick. Then, they undercut their rebuild before it even began by giving Kevin Love a massive contract extension. Since those highly consequential era-ending and era-opening blunders, Cleveland had been mostly quietly rebuilding. Until this year. This summer, the Cavs drafted Evan Mobley No. 3, re-signed Jarrett Allen to a five-year, $100 million contract, gave Lauri Markkanen a $67 mil...
Ben Simmons-76ers standoff
September 02, 2021 18:58 - 47 minutes - 44 MBBen Simmons, seeking a trade from the 76ers, is threatening not to report to training camp. Joel Embiid is tweeting about it. Other teams are trying to entice Daryl Morey with their not-so-great offers. How did Philadelphia get here? Dan Feldman and Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia discuss Doc Rivers' infamous comment about Simmons, the Simmons-Embiid dynamic and of course Simmons trade talk:
Talking Siakam, Joshua Primo with agent Todd Ramasar
August 27, 2021 05:37 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBWere the offseason trade rumors around Pascal Siakam legitimate, or was it just a lot of media speculation gone wild? How did Alabama guard Joshua Primo vault up to the No. 12 pick and surprise pundits? NBC Sports' Kurt Helin asked the agent for both men, Todd Ramasar, about all that, plus they talk draft prep for players, some Thomas Bryant, and even a little Baron Davis.
Damian Lillard, Ben Simmons, Bradley Beal, tanking
August 25, 2021 17:08 - 58 minutes - 53.8 MBDamian Lillard remains with the Trail Blazers – for now. Ben Simmons remains with the 76ers – for now. Bradley Beal remains with the Wizards – for now. On the latest ProBasketballTalk Podcast, Dan Feldman and "Built to Lose: How the NBA’s Tanking Era Changed the League Forever" author Jake Fischer discuss the offseason's lingering star drama and, of course, tanking.
Kevin Durant-Draymond Green sit-down, Warriors' present and future
August 20, 2021 16:02 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBDraymond Green and Kevin Durant made major waves in their recent Bleacher Report interview. On the latest ProBasketballTalk Podcast, Dan Feldman and Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area discuss: Fallout from Green's and Durant's comments in Golden State, especially with Bob Myers and Steve Kerr Green's infamous blowup at Durant When Durant decided to leave the Warriors Whether Golden State can bridge the gap between its veterans (Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson) and young pla...
Talking Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jason Kidd, Evan Mobley, Andre Drummond with Mirin Fader
August 13, 2021 16:18 - 25 minutes - 25 MBGiannis Antetokounmpo conquered the NBA on his own terms. How did he climb from poverty in Greece to leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a championship? Mirin Fader chronicled Antetokounmpo's journey in her new book: “Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP." On the latest ProBasketballTalk Podcast, Dan Feldman and Fader discuss: Antetokounmpo's upbringing in Greece, particularly as he approached the 2013 NBA Draft How Antetokounmpo handled his rookie year, when Milwaukee was awful Why An...
NBA offseason superlatives
August 06, 2021 06:04 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBDan Feldman and Nate Duncan of the "Dunc'd On" podcast discuss 24 superlatives from the NBA offseason: Best offseason Worst offseason Best signing Worst signing Team that improved most for next season Team that declined most for next season Team that improved most for 2022-23 and beyond Team that declined most for 2022-23 and beyond Signing that will produce most value in Year 1 Signing that will produce least value in Year 1 Signing that will produce most value in Year 2 Signing...
Russell Westbrook trade, NBA draft
July 30, 2021 06:32 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MBThe Wizards are trading Russell Westbrook to the Lakers. Five NBA draft lottery picks were stunning. Plenty of other picks were surprising, including two highly ranked players slipping into the second round. Dan Feldman and Kurt Helin analyze a wild night in the NBA:
Confounding 2021 NBA Draft podcasts
July 28, 2021 17:44 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MBI publish an NBA draft board each year. But I also also start the process relatively late. Though I watch college basketball throughout the season, I don't drill down into the top prospects until the draft is approaching. As a result, my impressions don't always match the draft experts who track players for years coming up. Experts like Chad Ford (whom you can read here and listen to here). On the latest ProBasketballTalk Podcast, Ford explains what I'm missing on some of the prospects wh...