Backdoor Cut

The 2021 NBA Summer League has now been and gone, with highlights and flashes aplenty for the drafts most intriguing prospects, plus some returning NBA names. What to make of all this is to be taken with a firm pinching of salt of course, but showing out in any competition is never a bad thing. This all coupled with an offseason free agency period where, unlike maybe some previous years, teams are retaining and resigning their talent at a seemingly increased rate. Jake, Josh & Batey break down what this means and more as we begin to warm up to what will surely be another competitively unpredictable season.

While the NBA is taking a well earned rest from the court, Olympics basketball has well and truly carried the torch. The challenge of shifting to FIBA style of play cannot be understated. Team USA had to find that out by grinding into form throughout the tourney, ending the hopes of all-time runs by the likes of Australia and France as well as regular contenders, Spain. A new dawn is rising in the world of International hoops, and we could not be more here for it. Meanwhile the 2021 NBA Draft has been and gone (congratulations to Josh Giddey being selected 6th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder!) with free agency now absolutely underway. Join us as we revel in the lingering moments of this Olympic tournament, recapping the run up to Team USA's Gold, and break down some of the biggest shakeups of NBA free agency so far.

Anyone who tells you that they believed the Bucks would win the Championship going into this playoffs, or even before their Nets series, is a stone cold liar. In one of the most heartwarming and satisfying Finals wins that we have flat-out ever seen, Giannis Antetokounmpo reached God-tier and carried Milwaukee all the way to the promised land for the first time in 50 years (or since Kareem played there and his name was Lew). The Phoenix Suns put up an almighty fight in a Finals series for the ages, and should go home with their head held high. Today though, we're all Bucks fans. Your 2021 NBA Champions.

Doing the job they're supposed to do, the Phoenix Suns defended their home court advantage and now travel to Milwaukee with a 2-0 lead. Giannis' perseverance has been nothing short of admirable, but has he got enough left in the tank to level this series back up? Breaking down the possibilities, potential adjustments and chances of what can still happen next, before diverting into the world of International hoops, discussing the lead up to the hugely exciting Olympics tournament.

The 2021 NBA Finals are finally upon us after the elimination of both the Atlanta Hawks and LA Clippers in the Conference Finals. Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns is the matchup, and if you'd asked us before the season, never in a million years would any of us have told you that'd be the case. Discussing the upcoming series, CP3's legacy run, the brightness of Atlanta's future and Paul George's new strong-willed Clippies.

If you've ever been caught in the whirlwind that is Boston Celtics Twitter/Instagram, you'll have no doubt come across one of the internet's preeminent homes for Celtics fans, 'Celtics Everyday'. This week, BDC's very own Bostonian away from home, Jake Issenberg has the utmost pleasure of hosting Celtics Everyday CEO, Seamus Zarlingo. Examining the current state of the NBA with a green lens, previewing the incoming changes in front office staff, coaching staff & playing staff, before taking a peek into season 2021/22.

Big thank you to Seamus for your time, insight and joining us on the show! Be sure to follow Seamus on Twitter (twitter.com/seamuszarlingo) and catch all their updates on the Celtics Everyday IG (@celtics.everyday).

Checking back in on the NBA Conference Finals, Atlanta looked impressive in Game 1, although the Bucks seem to be figuring them out. Meanwhile Ty Lue deserves more credit for the adjustments he's been making in every series of these Playoffs, including against these extremely plucky Suns, and a quick look at the plethora of coaching changes around the league in the past week.

The NBA Conference Finals are upon us as finally, the last matchups are finalised. Jake & Batey (sans Josh this week) fire off some searing hot Philly takes fresh off watching their capitulation in game 7 against Trae Young's Hawks. Farewell the last of Batey's fandom brigade, the Utah Jazz. Preview the imminent Conference Finals matchups both East & West and break down Boston's blockbuster trade to bring Big Al home, sending Kemba to OKC.

Ploughing through the NBA Playoffs, Jake, Josh & Batey find themselves in the midst of the Conference Semi-Finals. With this year's competition wide open, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Utah have asserted their early dominance; the first and second seed of both the East and West. This week the boys wrangle everything they've formulated from the showings so far, as well as a look toward what might be yet to come.

The first round is done and dusted with the Conference Semi-finals already underway. Josh chows down a huge L on his Clippers rant from last week, before he, Jake and Batey vent all their hopes and frustrations on everything we know so far.

Backdoor Cut would also like to send our deepest condolences to Knicks, Wizards, Heat, Celtics, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, Mavericks and (of course) Lakers fans everywhere. There's always next year.