Pro Basketball Talk on NBC Sports podcast

Can any team beat the Golden State Warriors?

Can any team beat the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors this season? Maybe, although the Warriors will need to participate in their own downfall, one way or another — an injury to Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant, the lack of regular season focus finally catching up with them, or maybe they become too focused on free agency the next summer. Mark Medina of the San Jose Mercury News, and host of the Planet Dubs podcast, joins us to break down how Steve Kerr will work to keep that ...

NBA Free Agency preview with Sean Deveney

NBA free agency is the Wild West, and just about anything can happen. LeBron James is leaning toward Los Angeles, but can he get Paul George to jump with him? What about the Kawhi Leonard trade — is it going to happen with the Lakers? If it does, is LeBron to Los Angeles a lock? If LeBron and Leonard are in L.A., is George going to ditch his OKC plans and follow? Kurt Helin from NBC Sports and Sean Deveney of The Sporting News break all that down, plus talking Chris Paul, DeMarcus Cousins, D...

NBA Draft breakdown: Winners, losers, sleepers

The Phoenix Suns didn't screw up the No. 1 pick landing Deandre Ayton, but they also made an interesting — maybe safe — move getting Mikal Bridges in a trade. The Atlanta Hawks got their man in Trae Young, but the Dallas Mavericks did better getting theirs in Luka Doncic after a trade. The Sacramento Kings got their man in Marvin Bagley. Michael Porter Jr. and Robert Williams fell down draft. Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports break down all of it, who were the winners and losers, who ...

Risers. Sleepers. Who should go No. 2? Final full draft breakdown

Luka Doncic? Marvin Bagley III? Jaren Jackson Jr.? If you were in the shoes of Vlade Divac and the Sacramento Kings, who would you draft No. 2? Kurt Helin and Rob Dauster of NBC Sports get into that topic as well as breaking down the rest of the draft such as the risers, the sleepers, and is Michael Porter Jr. worth the risk? Also, in the bigger picture, are we focused too much on the bigs at the top of this draft — the majority of guys who will go in the top six — when we just saw in the la...

Sixers GM out due to Twitter accounts, plus NBA Finals talk

It was both expected and one of the strangest stories ever in the NBA: Bryan Colangelo is out as the GM of the Sixers because his wife — he contends without his knowledge — ran a series of Twitter burner accounts which defended him and savaged players on the team. Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports get into why Colangelo had to go, even if you believe he didn't know about the accounts, and who is most likely next in line to replace him. The pair also gets into the 3-0 NBA Finals, the v...

NBA Finals preview, plus Twitter burner account talk

Golden State vs. Cleveland. Again. LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry. Or, more accurately, LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Which is why when Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports starts breaking down the 2018 NBA Finals there's a lot of talk about what needs to go perfectly for Cleveland. They need Kevin Love back (and ideally Andre Iguodala to miss some time). They need to hit their threes. The role players have to step up. Their defens...

Conference Finals now best of three; plus Metta World Peace

Both NBA Conference Finals are tied 2-2 in both the East and West — and breaking that down is not even the best part of this podcast. That's because NBA champion Metta World Peace joins us to talk about his new book, "No Malice: My Life in Basketball or: How a Kid from Queensbridge Survived the Streets, the Brawls, and Himself to Become an NBA Champion." World Peace discusses the time he cracked Michael Jordan's ribs in a summer game, how he was nervous before Game 7 of the NBA Finals in 201...

The Second Annual NBA Mock Draft Podcast, part 2

Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk was joined by Rob Dauster, the host of College Basketball Talk, to put together a mock draft podcast. On Part 1, here on the CBT feed, you can find a breakdown of the first seven picks in the draft, with Rob providing player breakdowns and Kurt bringing the knowledge on team needs and player fit. Part 2 of the podcast, which includes picks 8-30, can be found right here on the Pro Basketball Talk feed. The Rundown: Open: 8. Cleveland Cavaliers 8:30: 9. New...

Getting noticed by NBA teams through Professional Basketball Combine

Most of the NBA Draft focus right now is on the handful of guys at the top of the draft. However, at any given time up to 20 percent of the guys in the league were undrafted (Robert Covington, Jeremy Lin, Seth Curry, Aron Baynes, Wes Mathews, and Kent Bazemore, to name a few). How do those guys get the attention of scouts and GMs and get their chance? Jake Kelfer with the Professional Basketball Combine joins Kurt Helin of NBC Sports to talk about that event — a May event where teams can wat...

Eastern, Western Conference Finals Previews

Houston vs. Golden State is the showdown we've been waiting for since before the season began. LeBron James has just one more team between him and an eighth straight trip to the NBA Finals, but the Boston Celtics with Al Horford and a smart defense are going to present challenges the Toronto Raptors did not last series. Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports get into each series and look at the details. How will Boston handle Kyle Korver and Kevin Love while trying to not let LeBron go off...

What went wrong and what's next for Trail Blazers?

It was embarrassing, and left both fans and players of the Trail Blazers angry and frustrated — Portland was swept out of the playoffs by the New Orleans Pelicans. Now what happens in Portland? Is Terry Stotts in danger as the coach? What about GM Neil Olshey? Would they consider trading C.J. McCollum? Is there anyway to offload the contract of Evan Turner? Kurt Helin and the Northeast's own Dane Carbaugh of NBC Sports break it all down in this latest podcast. The pair also touch on other se...

NBA first round playoff series breakdowns

LeBron James' team looks to be in a battle royal in the first round — and they could lose. Miami is challenging the Sixers and shaking the faith of all those that just jumped on the bandwagon. Utah stole a game in Oklahoma City showing great grit and resolve, not to mention a lot of Donovan Mitchell. Anthony Davis has done everything but walk on water for the Pelicans. The first round of the NBA playoffs has been fascinating — and we are just two games into each series. Kurt Helin and Dan ...

Just how vulnerable are the Golden State Warriors?

Golden State seemed like the anointed one, the team destined to return to the NBA Finals and claim another crown before (and through much of) the season. Not any more. With Stephen Curry out until at least the second round, with other injuries to role players, and with some sloppy defense down the stretch (and some disinterested play), the Warriors look like they could be beaten. How vulnerable are they? Kurt Helin of NBC Sports brings in Mark Medina, Warriors beat writer for the San Jose Me...

Who should win NBA MVP? Rookie of Year? Our NBA awards episode

James Harden or LeBron James for NBA MVP? Donovan Mitchell or Ben Simmons for NBA Rookie of the Year? Out of a crowded field who should be the NBA Coach of the Year? It's a fascinating field and debate, and while the NBA will not announce the official winners until late June, Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports give you their picks and get into all of the NBA's postseason awards in this podcast. The tough debates include who is on the second and third team All-NBA, as well as second tea...

NBA Draft prospects to watch in the NCAA Tournament

This will be the last chance to watch Trae Young before the draft — just how good is he? Marvin Bagley and Wendell Carter Jr. are going to take Duke deep into this tournament (and maybe win it all), but how will their games translate to the NBA? Does Deandre Ayton look like he deserves the No. 1 pick? NBA scouts and GMs will be out at NCAA Tournament sites from San Diego to Pittsburgh this weekend to get one last look at potential draft picks playing in competitive college games. Kurt Hel...

What to watch in NBA season's stretch run

Are the Cleveland Cavaliers for real? And how are you going to define "for real?" Who is going to make the playoffs in the West? Is Utah going to get in? Is James Harden going to be MVP? Is it Ben Simmons or Donovan Mitchell for Rookie of the Year? Those are just some of the storylines as the NBA races down the stretch run of the season (most teams have around 25 games left). Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports break down all the things to watch from the end of the season, including...

NBA Trade Deadline Gone Wild, breaking down Cavaliers, others

Nobody saw this coming. The 2018 NBA trade deadline day turned into one of the most insane days in recent memory — and all because of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In an unprecedented couple of moves, the Cavaliers sent out six players they saw as part of the problem and brought in four players who are younger, more athletic, and might actually try on defense. Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports break down what happened with the Cavaliers, where they go from here. They also get into Tyreke E...

Author Jonathan Abrams talks "The Wire," Cavaliers, more

Author Jonathan Abrams, who has written about the NBA for years, has a new book out, an oral history of the legendary HBO series "The Wire." Abrams joins Kurt Helin of NBC Sports to discuss how the book came about, what he learned about the show writing it, and the show's cultural impact now, many years after it shut down. The two also get into what is going on in Cleveland with LeBron James — Abrams previous book was about the "preps to pros" generation of the NBA — as well as whether the N...

Breaking down Blake Griffin to Detroit trade

Blake Griffin is headed to Detroit. Nobody saw this coming (not even the teams a week before). Griffin had just inked a $175 million deal with the Clippers months before, when Los Angeles told him he would be a "Clipper for life." But there is no loyalty in the NBA — Griffin was traded Monday to the Pistons for Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, a first and a second round pick. Why did Detroit go all-in on two big men? To win? To sell tickets? And for the Clippers how fast does ...

Kidd firing, All-Star Game mock draft with Matt Moore

Our old friend Matt Moore of the Action Sports Network swings by to talk first about the firing of Jason Kidd in Milwaukee and what the Bucks do now. Then the topic shifts to the All-Star Game reserves, where Matt and Kurt Helin of NBC Sports conduct a mock draft of the All-Star starters and reserves, with Matt as LeBron James and Kurt as Stephen Curry. Unlike the real draft, we do ours in public.

All-Star starters mock draft, who should be reserves?

The votes are in, and LeBron James and Stephen Curry are your All-Star captains — this year that means they are picking their own teams, playground style, first from the pool of starters, then the pool of reserves. Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports take on the roles of LeBron and Curry and pick their All-Star starters, from James Harden through Kyrie Irving. Then the pair gets into who should be the All-Star Game reserves — and choosing among the Western Conference guards is brutal. D...

MVP, Rookie of Year, NBA Midseason Awards breakdown

James Harden or LeBron James for MVP? Is Ben Simmons the runaway Rookie of the Year, or has Donovan Mitchell made a good enough case to take the award? Is anyone the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year? With the NBA reaching the midway of the season, Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports break down their end-of-season awards ballots to this point. That includes all the big awards, plus who would make the All-NBA team if we had to decide today.

Deep dive on Toronto Raptors with Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun

The Toronto Raptors have the fourth best record in the NBA and the third best net rating — the best point per possession rating in the Eastern Conference. But are they are they for real? DeMar DeRozan is having his best season, Toronto is moving the ball and passing more, they are shooting more threes, and they are defending the best they have in years. The question is can they continue that into the playoffs, when they face Cleveland or Boston? Kurt Helin of NBC Sports and Ryan Wolstat of t...

Kincks' Frank Ntilikina talks adjusting to NBA; Xmas day game previews

For the start of the podcast, Frank Ntilikina joins NBC's Kurt Helin to talk about his adjustment to the NBA, how Jarrett Jack and Jeff Hornacek help him out, and how he's getting used to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the locker room (Ntilikina is helping The Boys & Girls Clubs of America because every time anyone uses #PBJLikeAPro on social media, Jif and Smuckers will donate $1 to the Club). After that, Dan Feldman from NBC Sports joins Kurt to break down the Christmas Day games — ...

Early Trade Deadline Breakdown, is DeAndre Jordan on the move?

The trade deadline is less than two months away, and DeAndre Jordan could well be on the move from the Clippers (and Lou Williams, too). But what is Memphis going to do about Mark Gasol? New Orleans with DeMarcus Cousins? Oklahoma City with Paul George? And if any of those guys are available, who is a buyer? Cleveland? Milwaukee? Portland? Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports break down the high end of the trade market, plus talk about other guys who could be on the move — maybe Nikola M...

Jahlil Okafor trade, plus "is it real" look at surprising NBA starts

The "Free Jahlil Okafor" crowd got their wish — the former No. 3 pick has been traded to the Brooklyn Nets, where he will get the chance to prove he can impact the NBA (and the Sixers do well in the trade getting Trevor Booker back). Kurt Helin of NBC Sports brings in the well-connected Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders to break down that trade. Then the two get into a discussion of what is real and what isn't at the start of the NBA season: Are the Boston Celtics really the best team in t...

Talking 2018 draft, potential changes to 1-and-done rule

Momentum is building to end the one-and-done rule that nobody likes — not NBA teams, college coaches, universities, or fans — but there is concern about what replaces it. Will that really be better for the players, or do we need a more radical system change? Kurt Helin and Rob Dauster of NBC Sports discuss that, then get into the 2018 draft. How far does Michael Porter Jr. fall? Is or Luca Doncic or Marvin Bagley III the No. 1 pick? What about Deandre Ayton? They cover all that and more in a...

Breaking down rookie class's start to NBA season

Markelle Fultz has barely seen the court. Lonzo Ball has had a couple triple-doubles but his shot is a train wreck (and he can't finish around the rim). Right now, Danny Ainge looks like the smartest guy in the room trading down and walking away with Jayson Tatum. Some of the best players out of this draft early — Kyle Kuzma, Donovan Mitchell — were drafted well down the board. It's been a draft class with wild highs, some ugly lows, some polarizing figures — and Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman o...

Celtics win over Warriors and all things Boston with A. Sherrod Blakely

Boston is the best team in the NBA — 14 wins in a row, including coming from 17 down to beat the Golden State Warriors. Kurt Helin welcomes in A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston to talk about what this win means to the Celtics, why their defense is so good, how Kyrie Irving is fitting in, how young stars such as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are rising up, and what is the deal with Marcus Smart. Also there is a lot of Brad Stevens love.

Breaking down the Eric Bledsoe trade

Eric Bledsoe finally has been traded from the Phoenix Suns, landing in Milwaukee for Greg Monroe and an oddly protected first-round pick. Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman from NBC Sports break down why this is a good gamble for the Bucks, and why it's about as well as the Suns could do considering the situation. There is also some Jahlil Okafor trade talk thrown in.

Celtics, Grizzlies, Pistons, talking hot NBA teams to start season

All things Sixers with Jessica Camerato of NBC Sports Philadelphia

Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers are off to a rough start this season, but the future is still very bright and the process is still working. Jessica Camerato of NBC Sports Philadelphia joins Kurt Helin to talk Markelle Fultz's shoulder issues and shot, the tough schedule for the Sixers the first couple months of the season, and a team adjusting to having expectations. Also, there is some Suns/Eric Bledsoe talk.

Gordon Hayward injury, what's next for Boston

Gordon Hayward's gruesome ankle injury is a brutal way for the Celtics to start the season. But the big questions now are what is next in Boston, both short term (more small ball) and long term. Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports break down what this means for the Celtics. They also get into Cleveland's opening night win over Boston, Houston upsetting Golden State, the LaMarcus Aldridge contract extension, and whether Joel Embiid should be pissed he has a minutes restriction.

NBA MVP, Awards predictions

With the NBA season about to tip off, we start to wonder who could win the MVP this season? Rookie of the Year? Sixth Man of the Year? All those races are far more interesting than the NBA title chase this coming season. Sean Deveney of The Sporting News joins Kurt Helin of NBC Sports to make predictions on who will win all the awards — there is a lot of love for LeBron James for MVP — plus discuss the leading candidates heading into the season. They also get into if anyone has a chance at t...

Thunder, Timberwolves, Northwest division preview

All-Star Game changes and then a discussion of the deep Northwest division are the topics Kurt Helin and Dane Carbaugh of NBC Sports tackle in this episode. Can the Thunder's big three make the sacrifices needed to win? Just how good are the Timberwolves going to be? Can Portland take a step forward? We get into all of it.

Impact of college basketball scandal with Rob Dauster

An FBI led bribery and corruption scandal has hit college basketball, but its tentacles reach from AAU to the NBA. Kurt Helin and Rob Dauster of NBC Sports talk about the scandal, what changes it could mean (not many), and a little about the upcoming draft class. #NBA

Cavaliers, Bucks, Central Division Preview

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the class of the East and the class of the Central division. However, the Bucks will be good, the Pistons interesting, plus the Pacers and Bulls are looking to the draft (mostly). Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBCSports.com break the NBA's Central Division down.

Warriors, Lakers, Pacific Division preview with Mark Medina

The Golden State Warriors are the NBA's juggernaut. The Lakers with Lonzo Ball are a must watch team. Mark Medina of the San Jose Mercury News joins NBC's Kurt Helin to talk Warriors, Lakers, plus the rest of the Pacific — Clippers, Suns, and Kings.

Lonzo Ball talks about his father, getting ready for NBA season

In a quick hitter podcast (just 15 minutes), Lonzo Ball stops by to talk about the "Ball in the Family" reality series, his father, teammates reaction to his father, and getting ready for the NBA season with Kurt Helin of NBC Sports.

Breaking down Kyrie Irving trade

Is this going to keep LeBron in Cleveland? Are the Celtics now contenders? NBC's Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman break down the surprising late summer trade sending Kyrie Irving to Boston for Isaiah Thomas and more.

NBA free agency breakdown: Go West Young Man!

Trades have rocked the NBA — Chris Paul to Houston, Paul George to Oklahoma City — and now big free agents are on the move, Paul Millsap to Denver. The theme? Everyone is headed West. Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports break down the first 48 hours of NBA free agency.

Porzingis? George? No. 1 pick traded? We talk NBA gone wild.

The NBA has gone wild in the run-up to the draft. The Knicks might trade Kristaps Porzingis? Probably not. Paul George could move? Much more likely. And the No. 1 pick has been traded. Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports break all this craziness down.

2017 Mock Draft with PBT and CBT

Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk and Rob Dauster of College Basketball Talk team up to provide a comprehensive first round mock draft. We also discuss leftover NBA Finals topics.

NBA Finals preview with Dan Feldman

Is Cleveland's defense going to be focused for 48 minutes? How is Golden State going to handle LeBron on the pick-and-roll? What does this Finals mean for the legacy of LeBron James? Or the Warriors? Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC get into all that and more in this Finals preview podcast.

Celtics draft or trade? Carmelo future? All from your Twitter questions.

What will Boston do with the No. 1 pick? What does the future hold for Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks? What is the right way to eat pizza? Kurt Helin and Dane Carbaugh from NBC answer that and more from your Twitter questions.

Breaking down NBA Draft Lottery results with Dan Feldman

Boston, the LA Lakers, and Philadephia will have the top three picks in the NBA Draft in June. What does that mean? Who are they likely to select? If the Celtics take Markelle Fultz, what does that mean for the future of Isaiah Thomas in Boston? Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports get into all of that. There is also some Zaza Pachulia talk, and we discuss if Warriors/Cavaliers round three in the Finals is good for the NBA.

Podcasting a 2017 Mock Draft

Today, Kurt Helin is joined by Rob Dauster of College Basketball Talk to break down and talk through a mock draft done live on a podcast. Does it get better than that?

Tony Parker injury, playoff series talk with Dane Carbaugh

The second round is underway, but Tony Parker will be in a suit for the rest of it. What does that mean for San Antonio? Kurt and Dane Carbaugh of NBC Sports discuss that plus can Washington come back on Boston? And can we just put Cleveland and Golden State through?

Why Bulls are owning Celtics, plus East breakdown with Sean Highkin

Boston is a flawed team, but nobody saw this coming — the Bulls have owned them for the Celtics for the first two games of the playoffs. Kurt Helin of NBC and Sean Highkin who covers the Bulls for The Athletic break down this series and the rest of the East.

Eastern Conference Playoff Preview with Dan Feldman

Boston is the No. 1 seed, but Chicago is a real threat. Cleveland is the conference favorite, but can the Pacers expose the Cavs' defense. Can the Bucks upset the Raptors? Kurt Helin and Dan Feldman of NBC Sports break down the entire Eastern Conference playoffs in this podcast.