Bobby Manning and Friends

Bobby Manning welcomes Michael Pina of The Ringer to discuss Jazz, Thunder and Trail Blazers teams exceeding expectations early on, the MVP race featuring some new names like Jayson Tatum and how the disappointing Nets, Timberwolves and Warriors will progress into the future. Plus, his assessment of the Mavericks, who he wrote about this week. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum battled until the closing seconds and the Thunder almost beat the Celtics after leading by 15 points. Brandon Rahdar joined Bobby Manning to talk about year three of the rebuild in Oklahoma City and whether or not SGA's ascent speeds up the Thunder's path to the playoffs. Plus, the Celtics extend their winning streak to seven and show they can turn it up on defense and win without the three-point shot. 

Bobby Manning welcomes Justin Rowan to talk about Celtics vs Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum and the rematch coming between those two teams on Wednesday. Then, the Nets hire Ime Udoka from Boston amid the Kyrie Irving antisemitism film sharing controversy. Brooklyn fired Steve Nash on Tuesday. 

Bobby Manning welcomes Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel to discuss Paolo Banchero's historic start, appearing in the same breath as Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain with six straight 20 point games to begin his NBA career. They talked about an intriguing young Magic team, despite early losses, and the emergence of Bol Bol, who spent time with the Celtics last year. Then, they bounce around the league to discuss some hot starts like the Celtics and Hawks, and slow ones like the Nets and Lakers. 

Dart Adams joins Bobby Manning to talk about the Ime Udoka suspension, Celtics training camp, hope for this season after productive preseason games and "Instead We Became Evil," the Boston's author's English adaptation of the autobiography of Sleiman, a Danish rapper who struggled immigrating from Palestine and falling into gang life in a country that didn't accept him.  

Bobby Manning welcomes Sopan Deb of the New York Times to Dome Theory to discuss the Ime Udoka suspension, its impact on the Celtics and whether or not the media and fans have gotten it right in their coverage of the story. What's fair and unfair to discuss right now, and what's most important that we need to learn?

Plus, the biggest stories entering a new NBA season and how important is coaching in the league now? 

Bobby Manning welcomes Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports to Dome Theory to discuss the controversial penalties Adam Silver enacted against Suns owner Robert Sarver and why many feel they fall short. What's the solution when taking a NBA team away from an owner is so difficult, and what's next for Phoenix during and after his suspension. They take a look at the best team in the NBA last season on the floor and whether they can still compete for an NBA Finals title this deep into Chris Paul's career, whether there'll be animosity over the Deandre Ayton contract saga and if there's still a chance Kevin Durant could arrive here.

Bobby Manning welcomes Carter Rodriguez of the official Chase Down podcast to talk about the Donovan Mitchell blockbuster trade that kicked off September. Cleveland sent Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji and Collin Sexton along with rights to five future first-round picks in what's arguably the greatest trade in Cavs history. Does it stack them up with the Celtics, 76ers, Heat and Bucks atop the east though? Carter is flipping the Cavaliers ahead of one of those teams, even with shooting, defensive and wing questions to address on Cleveland. Given those needs, they also address the futures of Kevin Love and Caris LeVert entering the final seasons on their contracts. 

Chris Herring, Sports Illustrated reporter and Blood in the Garden author, joins Bobby Manning to talk about the state of the Knicks in 2022, their ill-fated Donovan Mitchell pursuit and whether they need a star to build a winner in New York. RJ Barrett received an extension before the Cavaliers acquired Mitchell, a player Bobby and Chris both love who seems to need more ball time to become the player he's capable of at 22-years-old. As the Knicks return following another season outside of the playoffs, Bobby asks just how much Knicks owner James Dolan truly is to blame.

The Red Sox have been an unmitigated disaster after making the ALCS and coming two wins short of the World Series in 2021. As the team sits in last place entering September with no hope left of a wild card push, Sam Kennedy told the Athletic GM Chaim Bloom is safe entering 2022. Should he be, and where does a string of questionable decisions lead Boston into the future? Bobby Manning discusses with Taylor McCloud, along with the Danilo Gallinari injury, leftover Kevin Durant and Nets thoughts, along with early takes on Roc Marciano and The Alchemist's new collaboration.