Darnell Mayberry, the Assistant Sports Editor at the Oklahoman who was the Thunder Beat Writer for 7 years, joins Coach Nick to discuss whether Russell Westbrook will go nuclear this year. We also talk about the starting five and why Kevin Durant decided to leave Oklahoma City for the Golden State Warriors.

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The off season rolls on as actor Markees Christmas joins the podcast to talk about cautionary tales and tattoos from the NBA. A billion other things not related to the NBA are also discussed.

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Do NOT miss John Henson, who you loved on E!'s Talk Soup and ABC's Wipeout, as he appears on Worst Cooks In America on the Food Network premiering TONIGHT, Wednesday September 14th. We take a fun jaunt through the 90's era Knicks, as well as a deep dive into what to expect this season. John also regales us with tales of filming Talk Soup and the sheer madness of the production schedule. 

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Me and Erik Horne of The Oklahoman wrap up the Northwest division for the Instant Offense Summer Series: Thunder -Mitch McGary gets 10 more games tacked on to his 5 game suspension. Is his future in OKC? -How does Oladipo fit with Westbrook? Where do you rank them in the backcourt pantheon? -What should we expect from Steven Adams? -How does Donovan deploy Enes Kanter? -aside from Oladipo, which new/unproven role player makes the biggest impact? Jazz -Hill, Johnson, and Diaw make the Jazz veratile and deep. We grade their off-season. -Like OKC, Utah's 4 and 5 fly in the face of today's "pace & space" big men. Will they make it work? -"Hayward and Hood compare to ____". As built, how much of a challenge can Utah give the league elite? Blazers -GM Neil Olshey shelled out a mountain of cash to stand pat. Did he outsmart himself? -Who steps into the role of that 3rd option? -How does the frontcourt play out? -What are Crabbe and Harkless' ceilings? Nuggets -We find 3 reasons or Nuggets fans to be optimistic -Jamal Murray. Discuss. -How does Mike Malone juggle his vets with developing the youth? -Is Faried on his way out? Wolves -Will they live up to the newfound hype? -Will Rubio finish the year in Minny? How good can Dunn be? -Are the Timber-Pups playoff bound? Find and follow Erik at @ErikHorneOK, he's a great follow. And again, big shout out to @SFamXNoble, the man who gave me sounds Timberwolves:

Curtlow - a guy you hear often on SiriusXM NBA Radio when he lends his hilarious and insightful takes on the Rockets - joins Coach Nick to preview what will happen this season in Houston and whether they'll get back on track in the Western Conference.

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This week we have special guest Frank Madden of Brewhoop.com! We start with a Milwaukee Mind Set Quiz, Get @ Thon Maker, and talk crying in an Arby's bathroom. All this plus beefs and shout outs in another "EPIC" off-season podcast.

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Covering a range of topics, writer and professor at Georgia Southern University Jared Yates Sexton comes back on the podcast to talk about his love for the Pacers in the 90s, as well as covering the Trump campaign as a media member.

Bballbreakdown writers James Holas, Vivek Jacob, and Eli Horowitz get together to preview the NBA's Atlantic Division. Is Toronto or Boston better equipped to challenge the Cavs in the East? Will the Knicks make the playoffs this year? Will the Nets or Sixers finish last in the East?

Matt and Jon pitch ideas to Kobe for his new VC firm. Dave Futernick hates on them all. Also: Hilluminati, Take City and Get @me Dawg.

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Sam Hinkie is the Obi Wan-Kenobi for the Force that will be the future 76ers. Marc Lamont Hill (that's @MarcLamontHill on twitter) joins me to celebrate the Sixers and talk us through the rest of the Atlantic division. Sixers: Ben Simmons has fan excitement is through the roof. Do we owe Sam Hinkie an apology? -Jahlil Okafor is a divisive, talented player. Does Philly move on with him, do they just move on? -Between Jah, Noel, Embiid, Saric, and Simmons, the frontcourt is tight. How long does it take coach Brett Brown to figure it out? Marc plays GM: Who stays? -a handful of quality veteran perimeter players are on board this season; does that happen if Hinkie was still around? We discuss the newcomers fit. -Predictions Celtics: Al Horford is the first big FA signing in, well, forever. What's he bring? -The "eye test" loves Jaylen Brown, some analytics hate him. Marc shares his thoughts. -Does Marcus Smart finally "get it"? -Predictions Raptors: Did they do enough to maintain the status quo? -How Do DeMar DeRozan and Kyle lowry stack up to other backcourts? -They went from 25th in DD-Rating in '15 to 11th ;last year. How do they maintain that with Biyombo gone? -Predictions Knicks: Phil Jackson brought in plenty of reinforcements-can they balance "win now" with Porzingis' development? -Choose one: Kristaps, Towns, or Brow. -Can they make the playoffs. SHOULD they? -Predictions Nets: Sean Marks got them younger and more flexible financially. Grade the offseason. -what does Marc deem a "successful" season for them? What is new coach's Kenny Atkinson's focus? -I ask Marc to talk Nets fans down off the ledge.