Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective

Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon are live from Rockets-Mavericks media day in Macao! Rockets general manager Rafael Stone joins them discussing Houston’s approach to roster construction, building on last season’s 52 wins and navigating a competitive Western Conference. Then, Jabari Smith Jr. joins to talk about the Rockets’ expectations and Fred VanVleet’s return, while Mavericks wing Naji Marshall talks about developing his floater, playing alongside Cooper Flagg and new head coach Dusty May’s influence.

Plus, NBA legends Shawn Marion and Carlos Boozer join the show. Marion reflects on the 2011 NBA Finals, being a pioneer in the evolution of positionless basketball, earlier contract extensions and playing with LeBron James in Cleveland. And, Boozer shares lessons for his son, Cameron Boozer and the comparisons in their game.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome to The Hoop Collective live from Rockets-Mavericks media day in Macao

01:46 Rockets GM Rafael Stone joins the show

03:45 How the Rockets approach team building

09:20 Growing on the Rockets’ 52 wins last season

13:30 Expectations in a competitive Western Conference

14:48 Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. joins the show

15:56 Houston’s expectations with Fred VanVleet returning

18:18 Navigating the competition in the Western Conference

20:15 Mavericks wing Naji Marshall joins the show (fix?)

21:55 Developing Naji’s floater

25:15 Playing alongside Cooper Flagg

28:00 Dusty May’s influence

28:42 NBA legend Shawn Marion joins the show

31:53 Memories of the 2011 NBA Finals

35:05 The evolution of positionless basketball

39:48 Why are contract extensions happening earlier?

44:00 Playing with LeBron James in Cleveland

46:35 NBA legend Carlos Boozer joins the show

47:45 Lessons for Cameron Boozer

52:08 Thanks for watching!

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The Hoop Collective is live from Manila, Philippines, answering your biggest questions about the NBA! Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon welcome Jimmy Alapag to discuss his coaching career with the Sacramento Kings before diving into underrated storylines for the upcoming season, the Clippers’ outlook and the NBA’s growing international talent pool.

Plus, the biggest “what ifs” surrounding LeBron James’ free agency, the best path to building a contender, trades that could have changed the league and offseason moves deserving more attention. Brian and Tim also share their favorite basketball moments, and what they miss about Bontemps.

Timecodes:

00:00 Welcome to the Hoop Collective live from Manila

01:02 Jimmy Alapag joins the Hoop Collective

04:57 Jimmy's coaching career with the Kings

18:23 Answering your biggest NBA questions

23:12 What is an underrated storyline for this upcoming season?

27:32 What to make of the state of the Clippers?

32:08 Will the flow of International players continue?

36:39 What the crew misses about Tim Bontemps

42:23 Who couldn't the Heat close a deal for LeBron James?

46:22 The biggest "what ifs" of LeBron's free agency

50:20 What is the best route to building a contender?

55:06 Brian & Tim's favorite basketball moments

1:06:12 What failed trade would've changed the league?

1:07:19 How to report controversial stories

1:09:54 What offseason move deserves more attention?

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Brian Windhorst, Tim McMahon and Michael C Wright preview the Southwest Division, breaking down the biggest questions facing the Spurs, Rockets, Mavericks, Pelicans and Grizzlies heading into the 2026 NBA season. The guys discuss each team’s outlook, the roster questions that could define their season and where they stack up in the Western Conference. Plus, who has the highest ceiling, which team has the most to prove and who could surprise?

Timecodes:

00:00 Welcome To The Hoop Collective

02:25 Our 2026-27 Southwest Division Preview

02:38 Sky high expectations for the Spurs 

15:00 Windy Storytime: Spurs redemption

19:00 How can Spurs maximize their young talent?

29:30 Rockets hoping to take a leap this season

41:15 Cooper Flagg’s development exciting in Dallas

52:28 Can things improve for the Pelicans?

57:10 Memphis is a very hard team to project

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Brian Windhorst and Tim McMahon host a sold out live show at Courtside in Melbourne, Australia with guests: Cole Anthony, Luke Paul, Olgun Uluc and Derek Rucker. The guys talk with Cole Anthon about his experience in the NBL, Luke Paul on his decision to go to Duke and his NBA expectations. Plus, Olgun reveals the next wave of Australian stars to watch and what to expect for their next world cup team. 

Timecodes:

00:00 Welcome To The Hoop Collective

00:35 Derek Rucker joins the show

02:10 Cole Anthony joins the show

04:00 Cole Anthony's experience with the NBL

08:45 Challenges of drama with Bucks last season

11:50 How to have the right mindset in basketball

14:50 How NBA players negotiate contracts

18:25 How is NIL impacting college decisions?

22:38 What is goal for Melbourne United this season

26:18 Luke Paul joins the hoop collective

27:05 What are NBA scouts saying about his game

30:00 Expectations for Duke & going out on his own

34:20 What Duke players he wants to emulate

38:00 Is he ready for the Duke-UNC rivalry?

39:25 Derek Rucker on the basketball culture here in Australia

42:45 Olgun Uluc joins the hoop collective

43:15 Learning about the AFL in Melbourne

44:45 Who are the next superstars from Australia?

56:45 What will the Australian World Cup team look like?

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Brian Windhorst, Tim McMahon and Anthony Slater preview the Pacific Division, breaking down the biggest questions facing the Lakers, Warriors, Suns, Kings and Clippers heading into the 2026 NBA season. The guys discuss each team’s outlook, the roster questions that could define their season and where they stack up in the Western Conference. Plus, who has the highest ceiling, which team has the most to prove and who could surprise?

Timecodes:

00:00 Welcome To The Hoop Collective

00:20 Our 2026-27 Pacific Division Preview

01:05 Can Lakers Take The Next Step In Playoffs?

18:45 What Is The Best & Worst Case For Warriors?

28:30 Suns Overachieved Last Season, What Now?

35:20 What Can We Expect From The Clippers Now?

42:40 Assessing The State Of The Kings This Year

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Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN reporters checking in from Media Day around the league. Tim McMahon, Dave McMenamin, Vince Goodwill, Jamal Collier, Eric Woodyard, Ben Golliver, Anthony Slater, and Michael C. Wright join the show with the latest from the Lakers, Clippers, Thunder, Spurs, Knicks, 76ers, Warriors, Timberwolves and Pistons.

What are the biggest questions facing each team as training camp begins? They break down the storylines and early expectations across the NBA.

Melbourne Show Link: Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon Special Live Podcast 

TIMECODES:

00:00 Intro

01:08 76ers Media Day Reactions

06:55 How LeBron is assimilating in Philadelphia

15:00 How will the 76ers deploy their talent this year?

18:45 Vibes exceedingly high for the Lakers today

32:25 Bronny's quotes about LeBron leaving

35:20 Windy Storytime: Bronny's name origins

40:20 Exciting summer coming to a close for the Knicks

41:15 Major contract negotiations ongoing with NY

55:10 Assessing vibes with new pieces in Minnesota

1:08:40 Bad news days continue for the Clippers

1:24:15 Evaluating Kawhi's fit with the Raptors

1:30:20 Not a lot of love in the air for Pistons

1:44:30 Breaking down state of the Warriors

2:00:25 Thunder dealing with departure of key teammates

2:16:13 Interesting quotes from Spurs about their starting 5

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Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon to discuss the ongoing contract extension discussions between Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks including how this could set the tone for the future in New York. Then, the guys discuss some interesting quotes from Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Thunder Sam Presti with regards to OKC’s commitment to keeping their title contending squad together. Finally, we tackle how strong Kawhi Leonard’s extension with the Raptors is and explain why it is a fascinating deal.

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Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon to break down expectations for our Hoop Collective World Tour. Then, we tackle some substantial extensions that flew under the radar before talking about some you need to keep an eye on. Finally, we discuss some financial bonuses that separate the Lakers and Knicks from the rest of the field. 

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Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks to break down ESPN’s NBA Future Power Rankings including the some teams who were surprisingly high and some who had substantial drop-off from last season.

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Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Vince Goodwill to talk about the Clippers’ owner Steve Ballmer accepting the NBA’s punishment and how that may have cleared the path for the completion of the Kawhi trade to the Raptors. The crew breaks down what we can expect from Kawhi on the court, discusses some wild stories from his previous stint in Toronto and if we will see elite performance once again. Plus, we tackle what Brian is watching in NBA owners' meetings like the state of expansion in the NBA and Adam Silver's tone about the Clippers.

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