Catch and Shoot

The Phoenix Suns may have surprised many in the NBA world by earning the 2nd seed in the West and making the Conference Finals, but Hall of Famer and Bally Sports Arizona Color Analyst Ann Meyers Drysdale tells us how the blending of veterans like Chris Paul and Jae Crowder with rising stars Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton have put the team in position to make their first NBA Finals since 1993 and win their first ever title. As a trailblazer for women in basketball in her own right, Meyers Drysdale also gives our Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong her thoughts on Becky Hammon being a finalist for the Portland head coaching job and how soon we will see a woman head coach in the NBA. She also discusses the WNBA as it just celebrated its 25th anniversary and where she sees the league in 5-10 years.

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Both the NBA Draft Combine and Lottery take place next week in Chicago, and who better to discuss the process and top prospects then having our former host (and Pac-12 Network Coordinating Producer) Adam Stanco. Stanco joins our Aaron Berlin and Bruce Bernstein (filling in for Otto Strong) and tells us how the interview process at the Combine, even more than the physical "measurables", have become an important factor in how front offices have gauged prospects. Stanco also tells us what prospects he's keeping his eyes on, plus how the development and creation of the G League and Overtime League have started to change how the NBA looks at developing players and what that might mean for the "One & Done" rule.

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Last Wednesday, June 2nd, was a crazy day in the basketball world. The Boston Celtics announced Danny Ainge was retiring as President of Basketball Operations, with Head Coach Brad Stevens promoted to replace him. Meanwhile, Hall of Fame Coach Mike Krzyzewski will retire as the head man at Duke following the 2021-2022 season, to be replaced by top assistant Jon Scheyer. Stadium Basketball Analyst Jeff Goodman broke the story on Coach K's retirement while also covering angles on what the Celtics have done. Goodman tells our Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong why Krzyzewski decided now was the time to make the announcement and how he think Scheyer will do as the Blue Devils' head man. As for the C's, Goodman goes over how the news of Stevens promotion took him by surprise; what won't be a surprise to him is seeing Stevens back on the bench somewhere in the not-too-distant future.

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The Dallas Mavericks were flying along with a 2-0 lead in their First Round NBA Playoff series versus the L.A. Clippers. Then, their superstar Luka Doncic developed a neck strain during Game 3 and the team has struggled ever since. TJ Macias of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram joined our Otto Strong and Aaron Berlin and discussed what options are on the table for Dallas, including sitting Doncic for Game 5 to allow for a potential return to health for Game 6, and possibly Game 7. Macias also dishes on how the Mavs can counter the Clippers "small ball" lineup, why Kristaps Porzingis hasn't developed into the second superstar that the team had hoped and how the intelligence of former Maverick Rajon Rondo, now with the Clippers, has been a thorn in Head Coach Rick Carlisle's side. On the back end, the fellas discuss the issues of fan behavior (or the lack thereof) at some of these playoff games.

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After LeBron James and the Lakers made it through the NBA's Play-In Tournament, the defending champions took one on the chin in their playoff opener against Phoenix. Jovan Buha, who covers the team for The Athletic (as well as co-hosts The Forum Club podcast) breaks down where the team struggled versus the Suns and what adjustments the team needs to make so they can advance in the playoffs (one key: Anthony Davis needs to play better). Buha also tells our hosts Otto Strong and Aaron Berlin how cap space and luxury tax issues could effect the team's decisions in the off season, especially in considering their own free agents like Alex Caruso, Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroeder. Finally, Aaron & Otto give us both their initial reaction to the opening of the playoffs as well as their thoughts on the Play-In Tournament.

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The NBA Playoffs are here and Turner Sports' and NBA TV's Jared Greenberg joins our Otto Strong and Bruce Bernstein (filling in for Aaron Berlin) to help us dissect the Play-In Tournament as well as some of the opening round match-ups. Greenberg explains why the creation of the Play-In Tourney has been a good thing for the league and its fans, and tells us who he thinks emerges to the regular Playoffs bracket. Greenberg also discusses what it has been like to work with Marv Albert, who will be retiring at the end of this year, as well as his relationships with Mike Breen and Chris Webber, who are both going into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

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Of all the surprising stories during this NBA season, perhaps the most unexpected is the return to relevance of the New York Knickerbockers. MSG Network and ESPN Radio's Alan Hahn joined our Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong to tell us how the Knicks, after years of mediocrity (or worse), are not only playing their best basketball in years, but might also be well set up for years to come. Hahn brings some insight on how Head Coach Tom Thibodeau, while still pushing his typically tough and physical style of basketball, has adapted and mellowed a bit in relating to his players. This style has rubbed off well on his team's star Julius Randle, who has had a career year and seems likely headed to the Most Improved Player Award. Hahn also gives us a sense on the importance this turnaround has been for New York in the wake of what's going on across town with the Brooklyn Nets, while also demonstrating what the energy inside Madison Square Garden will be like once fans are allowed to return in full capacity. Otto and Aaron also show some appreciation for a couple of league superstars who surpassed big milestones last week -- Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

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Last season ended in disappointment for L.A.'s other team, the Clippers, but can this year's version live up to lofty expectations? The Athletic's Law Murray, who covers the Clippers beat, gives us an update on where the team stands as we enter the final 2 weeks of the regular season. He tells our Aaron Berlin & Otto Strong that while the team had a rough time last week (losing 3 in a row) they seem to be getting healthy just in time for the playoffs. Of course, there is concern on how head coach Ty Lue will work out all the rotations in the remaining time. That said, Lue has been a good fit for this roster, seeming to better relate to the team's superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George than his predecessor Doc Rivers.

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After going to the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the 3rd time in 4 years, the Celtics have struggled to find any consistency in play this year. Amina Smith of NBC Sports Boston joins our Otto Strong and Bruce Bernstein (filling in for Aaron Berlin this week) and tells us that while health issues have certainly been to blame for some of the poor play,, a lack of focus and energy have also come to the forefront. Smith also discusses if the team can find cohesion in time for the playoffs. Bruce & Otto further break down the East and if anyone other than Brooklyn, Philadelphia or Milwaukee (perhaps the red-hot Knicks) can make a run to the Finals.

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Our guys Aaron Berlin & Otto Strong talk about the mounting injuries suffered by stars and key players around the league and how the truncated season, which followed a shortened off-season, has had an impact. Fred VanVleet expressed his frustrations in saying, by the league rushing back to play, "it's pretty much all about business this year on every level." One team having fun, though, is the New York Knicks, who have won 6 straight as of April 20th. The fellas then get into a discussion about the league MVP race with around a quarter of the season remaining. Is Nikola Jokic the clear favorite or is Joel Embiid more deserving? What impact has the injuries to all the top stars had on the race? Aaron and Otto bring up the idea of having postseason play factor into the award criteria. They also look at some other creative ways to determine the winner -- could a point system involving the voting totals for Players of the Week and Month awards be something to explore? Finally, while it appears that a "Super League" in European soccer is a bad idea, we still had fun with the concept and wondered which teams would make the cut if we had one in professional basketball here in North America.

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