Curious Mike

Trae Young joins Michael Porter Jr. for a conversation years in the making.

Trae and Mike go back to their early basketball days, long before either became an NBA star. They revisit growing up around elite competition, the players they faced before the league, and the experiences that helped shape them into the players they are today.

Trae opens up about his journey to becoming one of the NBA’s elite point guards, balancing scoring with creating for his teammates, adapting to new environments, and the mentality required to succeed at the highest level.

The conversation goes deeper into basketball as Trae and MPJ break down shooting, why some players struggle to develop a consistent jumper, NBA roster construction, players they’d want to play alongside, and the basketball IQ that separates great players.

Then things get more controversial.

Who talks the craziest in the NBA? Does Trae consider himself a villain? Who really starts the beef? Trae and Mike get into trash talk, dealing with referees, drawing fouls, manipulating defenders, and the chess match happening on an NBA court that fans don't always notice.

They close things out on a more personal note, talking about how they move off the court, staying grounded, their longtime friendship, and the motivation they share to keep proving people wrong.

In this episode:
• Trae and MPJ's basketball history
• Trae's path to becoming an NBA point guard
• Scoring vs. passing and keeping teammates involved
• Adjusting to new environments in the NBA
• What makes an elite guard
• Why shooting is harder to develop than it looks
• NBA players Trae respects
• Dream teammates and roster construction
• NBA trash talk and beef
• Trae on being viewed as a villain
• How NBA stars draw fouls and manipulate defenders
• Basketball IQ and the mental side of the game
• Trae and MPJ's friendship off the court

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Jason Lee joins Curious Mike for an honest and unfiltered conversation about sexuality, Hollywood, celebrity culture, controversy, and building a media empire.

Mike and Jason open the episode with a candid discussion about sexuality, religion, masculinity, the LGBTQ+ community, transgender relationships, and how society’s views have changed over time. Mike also opens up about his own past perspectives and tells the story behind a viral moment from his trip to Taiwan.

Later, Jason takes Mike inside the world of Hollywood Unlocked, sharing how he built the platform, developed relationships with some of the biggest names in entertainment, and learned to balance personal relationships with reporting on celebrity news.

They discuss the fake side of Hollywood, whether success requires compromising your morals, celebrities behind closed doors, cancel culture, the Will Smith and Chris Rock Oscars moment, and why Jason has never been afraid of controversy.

Jason also opens up about entering politics, dealing with criticism, the responsibilities that come with having a major platform, and his thoughts on athletes entering the podcast and media space.

The episode closes with rapid-fire celebrity questions and a game of “Post It or Delete It,” where Jason decides which hypothetical celebrity stories Hollywood Unlocked would actually publish.

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Michael Porter Jr. sits down with former Denver Nuggets teammate Peyton Watson for an honest conversation about his journey through the NBA, the highs and lows of playing in Denver, and what really happened during his final season with the Nuggets.

Peyton opens up about his difficult year at UCLA, betting on himself and entering the NBA Draft, grinding through the G League, and earning his opportunity under Michael Malone. He and MPJ also share behind-the-scenes stories from Denver’s championship run, including Peyton getting called out by Coach Malone and his hilarious experience trying to celebrate the championship in Las Vegas before he was 21.

Later, Peyton addresses the biggest narratives surrounding his final season in Denver. He explains the hamstring injury that kept him out of the playoffs, the pressure he felt to return, why he ultimately wasn’t healthy enough to play, and the rumors that surfaced during his contract negotiations.

Peyton also reflects on playing alongside Nikola Jokić, his breakout stretch with Denver, leaving the organization, and what he wants to prove in the next chapter of his NBA career.

Plus, Peyton and MPJ get into NBA Real Talk, including the toughest players to guard, social media criticism, Jokic vs. Shaq, Kobe vs. LeBron, and the legacy Peyton hopes to leave behind.

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Lonzo Ball joins Michael Porter Jr. for a candid conversation about growing up in the Ball family, LaVar Ball’s influence on his career, Big Baller Brand, injuries, relationships, and the lessons he’s learned throughout his NBA journey.

Lonzo opens up about the legendary Chino Hills team, his time at UCLA, getting drafted by the Lakers, and how quickly the Ball family became one of the biggest stories in basketball. He also reflects on Big Baller Brand and admits that one of his biggest regrets was not taking more control of his career earlier.

He gets honest about the BBB shoes, the pressure of representing the family brand, and the point when he finally began stepping out from under his father’s umbrella and making decisions for himself.

Lonzo and Mike also connect over serious injuries and how being physically limited can completely change your relationship with basketball. Lonzo talks about reinventing his game, accepting what he could no longer do physically, and staying grateful for the opportunity to continue playing.

The conversation goes beyond basketball as Lonzo discusses his relationship, thoughts on marriage and prenups, LiAngelo’s infamous situation in China, and life after becoming famous at a young age.

To close things out, Lonzo and Mike debate some of the greatest guards in NBA history and play Start, Bench, Cut with Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball and more. Lonzo even gives his honest ranking of Ant, Ja and his own brother Melo.

In this episode:

• Growing up with LaVar Ball

• The legendary Chino Hills basketball team

• UCLA and becoming the No. 2 NBA Draft pick

• The rise of Big Baller Brand

• Lonzo’s biggest career regret

• The truth about the BBB shoes

• Becoming independent from LaVar

• Lonzo’s long road through knee injuries

• Reinventing his game after surgery

• Relationships, marriage and prenups

• LiAngelo Ball’s China incident

• LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant

• Steph Curry vs. Kyrie Irving

• What Lonzo would tell his 19-year-old self

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Lexie Brown joins Michael Porter Jr. for an honest conversation that starts with them clearing the air over Mike's viral comments about the WNBA.

Lexie opens up about WNBA salaries and the league's new CBA, Caitlin Clark's impact on women's basketball, the criticism WNBA players face online, sports betting, relationships between teammates, NIL changing college basketball, and what fans misunderstand about the women's game.

Mike also reflects on his controversial podcast run, learning how to speak his mind without unnecessarily offending people, and why he still believes people with completely different opinions should be able to sit down, talk, and respect each other.

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Topics: Lexie Brown, Michael Porter Jr., WNBA, Caitlin Clark, WNBA salaries, WNBA CBA, women's basketball, NBA, NIL, sports betting, social media, free speech

Dwight Howard and Michael Porter Jr. sit down to discuss any and everything Dwight Howard over the years. From NBA related questions such as the best centers he's ever played against to his recent hall of fame induction and everything in between. Dwight has lived a public life since entering the NBA in 2004. This led to questions surrounding his christianity, marriage, and overall purpose. In this episode he shares his desire to spread positivity in the world while remaining focused on his testimony. This leads to questions such as "how do you want your legacy to be remembered" and statements centered around Dwights message to the world on the power of joy and a smile.

Watch the full interview on Curious Mike YouTube.

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Carl Lentz has a story of highs, lows, and finding himself through the journey. He's a living embodiment of what it looks like to be human, make mistakes, and strive to be a better man each day. He and Michael sit down to disuss being honest with yourself, unconditional forgiveness, and becoming the best version of yourself. Carl details how he has rebuilt relationships with his family and gratefulness. A powerful episode.

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Michael Porter Jr. and Nicole Sachs sit down to discuss her journey towards helping the world cure chronic pain. They’re joined by Cam Michael who shares his experience as well. He and Michael have shared experiences that many can relate to. Nicole has helped countless people and her strategies are unique. Learn what Michael did, how to journal, and release repressed emotions. These are practices that cured his back pain and have led to feeling better than ever on the court. 

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Connect with Nicole here.

Connect with Cam here.

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Michael Porter Jr. and Chris Brickley sit down to talk about his entire journey from college, to coaching, and now being one of the best trainers in the world. He goes in depth on some untold stories between him and Phil Jackson. Michael asks him which NBA players are some of the hardest workers he's ever seen and they talk about the commonalities. Chris has changed the landscape of NBA training and he breaks it all down in this conversation. Watch the full interview on a new episode of "Curious Mike" now.Be sure to subscribe.You can watch the full interview on Curious Mike YouTube.Follow Curious Mike on socials.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiousmikeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curious.mike

Michael Porter Jr. and Andy Mineo sit down and discuss many current topics in the music industry as well as faith and remaining in a lane of authenticity. This covers everything from rappers getting better with age to the environment they're developed in. Authenticity is a big topic in this episode. Michael and Andy talk about speaking truth, the expectation of public responses and being your true self. Andy also goes in depth on his upcoming album release. Lastly, the two speak on Charlie Kirk's passing and the state of the nation. Watch the full interview on a new episode of "Curious Mike" now.Be sure to subscribe.You can watch the full interview on Curious Mike YouTube.Follow Curious Mike on socials.Instagram:   / curiousmike  TikTok:   / curious.mike