Chucking Darts NBA Podcast

Esfandiar Baraheni ( @esfandiarbaraheni8401 ) of the Athletic joins to discuss the Raptors elite defensive infrastructure and its potential impact on the eve of the 2026 season.

Then, we have fun with some film recommendations, including "Blue Heron," "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie," "Primetime," "Is God Is," and "Faces of Death." Enjoy!

TIME STAMPS:
(0:00) Intro
(4:00) Raptors' Elite Defense
(16:30) Collin Murray Boyles as an X Factor
(33:00) Film Reflections + Wrap

The Athletic's Marcus Thompson II discusses his great new book 'Game Changers: The GOATs Who Revolutionized Basketball,' including what makes a player a revolutionary, how NBA storytelling evolves, and the challenges facing modern revolutionaries today.

Pre-order Marcus' book below and enjoy!

https://bookpassage.com/book/9798894140537

TIME STAMPS:
(0:00) Intro + 'Game Changers'
(11:05) Candace Parker, Cheryl Miller, & Shaq
(19:45) Steph Curry Breaking Paradigms
(24:45) Iverson, Wemby, SGA, and Dual Expression
(33:30) The Future of NBA Expression + Wrap

You Know Ball's green-thumbed cornerstone, Sam Sheehan, returns to reorder the Eastern Conference in the wake of Lebron James joining the Sixers and a wild offseason.

Enjoy! (Order of conversation is not order of predicted finish).

TIME STAMPS:

(0:00) Intro
(4:00) Boston Celtics
(21:15) Philadelphia 76ers
(30:30) New York Knicks and repeat chances
(36:15) Toronto Raptors
(42:30) Miami Heat
(51:00) Orlando Magic
(58:00) Indiana Pacers
(1:07:20) Detroit Pistons
(1:17:00) Cleveland Cavaliers
(1:24:00) Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Wrap

I empty the tank reacting to each (or about 27 or so) team's moves in the NBA Draft, as well as the seimic trades involving Giannis, Lamelo Ball, Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, and Walker Kessler.

My companion substack piece: https://chuckingdarts.substack.com/p/2026-nba-draft-final-dart-board-distrust

Enjoy!

TIME STAMPS
(0:00) Intro + Substack Thesis
(6:05) Wiz - Dybantsa
(21:30) Jazz -Peterson
(26:35) Grizzlies - Boozer, Lopez, Saunders
(36:35) Bulls - Wilson, Swain
(44:30) Clippers - Wagler, Baba Miller, Kawhi bounty
(55:20) Nets - Mikel Brown Jr., Joshua Jefferson, Bilodeau
(1:02:55) Kings - Darius Acuff, Karaban, Sharp
(1:07:05) Hawks - Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor, Henri Veesaar
(1:29:25) Mavs - Morez Johnson, De Larrea, Ischenko, Lawal
(1:40:00) Bucks - Giannis bounty, Burries, Ament, Castro, Lewis
(1:49:05) Warriors - Yaxel, Lajae Jones
(1:51:55) Thunder - Mara, Stirtz, Oweh
(1:56:50) Hornets - Lamelo bounty, Steinbach, Anderson
(2:03:00) Pistons - Ebuka Okorie, Ogonna Onyenso
(2:05:00) Raptors - Allen Graves, Kawhi Trade
(2:11:15) Spurs - Quaintance, Tarris Reed, Gillespie, Brown
(2:13:30) Wrap - Sixers draft + Jaylen Brown, Lakers draft + Kessler, Heat draft + Giannis, etc

Brian Geisinger (@bgeis_bird; @bgeisinger.bsky.social) talks the Knicks' victory, the Spurs' arrival and mandate, his history with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, and the Hornets' unique opportunity at 14 and 18 in the 2026 draft.

https://briangeisinger.substack.com/

Enjoy!

TIME STAMPS
(0:00) Intro
(3:00) How the Knicks Won the Finals
(17:00) The Spurs' Shortcomings
(30:00) Spurs' Roster Choice Ahead
(55:00) OG Anunoby the Unicorn
(1:09:50) Hornets and Morez Johnson Jr.
(1:30:00) Hannes Steinbach
(1:45:30) Zuby Ejiofor, Allen Graves, and Wrap

My old friend and Spurs diehard Pat joins to recount a legendary game 7, appreciate the Spurs' roster build, and preview the NBA Finals. Plus, some draft options for the Spurs at 20. Enjoy!

TIME STAMPS
(0:00) Intro + Game 7 recap
(28:00) The Spurs roster build
(38:10) Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals
(1:11:22) Spurs draft at pick 20 + wrap

Prez (@_prezidente) of the Strickland returns as we wax poetic on the dominant New York Knicks, the special sauce behind their roster build, and the matchup problems they will present in the NBA Finals. Then, a 14 team Lottery Mock Draft.

Enjoy!

TIME STAMPS
(0:00) NBA Finals New York Knicks
(35:25) Wizards - Cam Boozer
(39:55) Jazz - Darryn Peterson
(46:45) Grizzlies - AJ Dybantsa
(53:40) Bulls - Caleb Wilson
(1:03:20) Clippers - Kingston Flemings
(1:12:30) Nets - Keaton Wagler
(1:16:15) Kings - Brayden Burries
(1:25:30) Hawks - Ebuka Okorie
(1:30:20) Mavericks - Darius Acuff Jr.
(1:35:35) Bucks - Yaxel Lendeborg
(1:39:05) Warriors - Aday Mara
(1:43:35) Thunder - Dailyn Swain
(1:48:00) Heat - Mikel Brown Jr.
(1:51:15) Hornets - Morez Johnson Jr.
(1:56:00) Knicks Options at 24 + wrap

Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan) of Nets Daily discusses OKC-San Antonio Game 2 and how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's problem solving led them to a win. Then, we discuss the Brooklyn Nets and yet another crossroads when the draft opens up at number 6, whether taking a PG makes sense, and which of Flemings, Acuff, Wagler, Brown, or someone else makes the most sense.

Lucas also discuss his WNBA coverage and the NY Liberty's upcoming season. Check his substack out below and his work at Nets Daily for great W coverage all summer.

https://lucaskaplan.substack.com/

TIME STAMPS
(0:00) Intro + NY Liberty
(9:25) Thunder-Spurs G2
(21:40) Egor Demin's rookie season
(36:30) Mikel Brown, Darius Acuff, Keaton Wagler, Aday Mara
(1:02:40) Kingston Flemings
(1:10:10) Dailyn Swain + Yaxel Lendeborg + wrap

I gush about one of the greatest games ever played, and highlight some prospects who may one day be lucky enough to play in one like it.

Enjoy!

TIME STAMPS
(0:00) The Game
(19:00) The Draft

My buddy Ross, a Wiz diehard, makes his debut to give a secular perspective on the Wizards' incredible good fortune and difficult choice at number 1. Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer, and how they project to uplift a hungry franchise. Enjoy!

TIME STAMPS
(0:00) Intro + Current Wizards Core
(10:20) AJ Dybantsa
(22:30) Darryn Peterson and Wiz Culture
(44:30) Trae Young Impact
(51:30) Trade Strategy
(56:30) Cam Boozer, 2026 PGs, wrap