Contested Layups

This fantastical episode of Contested Layups is brought to you by sound checks! We love discussing the NBA, and the Clippers, who are currently the 6th seed in the Western Conference, may be the most ideal destination this summer for free agents! They remind us of a certain team that Doc Rivers coached before. Can they re-create the Magic of the early 2000's?

The Rookie of the Year race was all but over in January, with Luka Doncic leading the way. However, Trae Young has made a serious comeback! Can Trae actually overtake Luka's award?

In our final thoughts, we discuss how Kevin Durant's legacy might be tarnished due to his time in Golden State. Is he this generation's Hakeem Olajuwon?

Contested Layups brings you a mid-week episode tonight! We start off with discussing the aftermath of the horrible Jusuf Nurkic injury in Portland, and how that injury derails the Blazers playoff chances, yet again. It's the same story every year in Portland, it seems!

Then, we dive right into the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Who will make it out of the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, or Charlotte Hornets?

Lastly, which franchise is in the worst position going forward? Can Minnesota get out of mediocrity with their seemingly mediocre cornerstones? Will Phoenix ever be able to win with Devin Booker on the roster? Can Washington build a competitive team while John Wall rehabs from his Achilles tear?

Contested Layups is proud to present a Lebron James-less NBA playoffs this year! We cover what NBA fans need to know now that you won't be seeing Lebron James on your tv for the next several months! Both the Eastern and Western Conferences are full of storylines for the playoffs!

Giannis, Jokic, and Embiid are all at the top of their respective Conferences, and are All-NBA talents. Yet, two All-NBA talents, Towns and Anthony Davis, are not in the playoffs this year. What is the difference between those two talents, and the three aforementioned?

The Lakers have a huge offseason in 2020. What will they do, and what can we expect for the NBA to look like at the beginning of the 2019-20 season?

Contested Layups is always bringing you the best content in NBA discussion! Tonight we finally cover the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors and how they have been fantastic without Kevin Durant this week. Also, is Golden State's contingency plan if Durant leaves in the offseason actually Demarcus Cousins?

Next, we look at the ridiculousness of load management and how it is ruining the fan experience at NBA games! Is the NBA fan in the right to be upset if their favorite player sits out a game that they attended? Or is the player in the right for protecting their body?!

The Houston Rockets and the Detroit Pistons are the two hottest teams in the NBA right now, with the Rockets on an 8 game win streak and the Pistons winning 12 out of their last 14. What is the Rockets ceiling? Is this team actually better than last years 65 win team?

The Pistons have came from a team looking like it was underachieving to a potential playoff upset team. Dwayne Casey has gotten Blake Griffin to play the best basketball of his career, and multiple players have stepped their games up! Can the Pistons be a dark horse in the playoffs?

Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley said at halftime during the Portland and Oklahoma City game that Portland would make the NBA Finals this season. Jeff Van Gundy said that the LA Lakers should consider trading Lebron James this offseason. WHAT?! Who is the bigger Idiot this week?

Today we take a look at the Nuggets and how they have bucked the trends of pace and threes to get to the second best record in the West. Defense, rebounds, and JOKIC!

The Pacers have held on to their spot in the East after the Victor Oladipo injury, despite our prediction that they would slide! The teams dedication to the defensive end, to go along with playing for each other has translated into some great ball in Indiana!

The Los Angeles Lakers have been sliding since the trade deadline failure to acquire Anthony Davis. It's not a shock considering that the drama overlooking the franchise. Can the Lakers rebound and claim a playoff spot?!

In honor of the Oscars, the Contested Layups podcast is proud to bring you our midseason NBA awards! Who is our MVP this year? Will James Harden run away with it, or will Paul George or Giannis Antetokounmpo make a run at it??? Who is our Most Improved Player, Coach of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year? We debate it, all on our latest episode!

Contested Layups is here at all-star weekend to bring you the best NBA content! We breakdown the Dell Demps firing and what it means for the future of the NBA. Is the Anthony Davis trade request a changing of the guard for players taking ownership totally of their careers? Will Rich Paul become the most powerful man in sports?

The OKC Thunder have been rolling, and just signed Markieff Morris. Paul George is an MVP candidate, and Russell Westbrook is the living triple double. What is this team's ceiling???

Contested Layups breaks down the NBA trade deadline for you on our latest episode! The Raptors, Mavs, Knicks, and Pelicans all won the trade deadline! Meanwhile, by making poor decisions and not trading, several teams lost the trade deadline, including the Sixers fans/hopes for a true dynasty, the Thunder, and the Hornets! Also, we discuss our beloved Bulls and their lack of understanding what's really going on around the perception of their organization!

Eddie, Raul, John and Garnik discuss Derrick Rose potentially retiring at an early age. Tweet and Follow us on twitter @contestedlayup1!