In this episode, Dieter and I chat about basketball, including Duke and Kentucky, the Warriors and the West, the weird Terry Rozier thing, fake Wizards trades, and more. Here's the full rundown: 

In this episode, Jared Weiss joins to chat about the Celtics and the Bucks at the top of the Eastern Conference. Why are we confident these two teams are two of the top four in the East? What could each of them do to improve their position down the road? Then, we chat about the Lakers. Magic Johnson had a conversation with Luke Walton about the team's success so far this year? What are we even doing here? Why is Magic even complaining about this? I mostly just rant about this whole thing being silly. 

Then, Chris Stone joins and we chat about the potential forwards in the 2019 NBA Draft. That includes Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, Sekou Doumbouya, De'Andre Hunter, Rui Hachimura, Louis King, Jaylen Hoard, PJ Washington, Dedric Lawson, Admiral Schofield, Darius Bazley, Isaiah Roby, Cam Johnson, Markis McDuffie, Oshae Brissett, Eric Paschall, and more. 

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach joins and we chat about a variety of topics throughout what has already been a chaotic basketball season. First, we chat about Klay Thompson's eruption against the Bulls, and how it somehow might not even be a top-two Klay game ever.

Then, we spend 20 minutes and chat about the Markelle Fultz situation in Philadelphia. What should the 76ers do at this stage after their slow start, and with the Simmons-Fultz pairing that seems to not be working? 

Then, we dive into two of the bigger disappointments to start the NBA season. First, we break down the Rockets, and how things seems to be going poorly there due to faulty transition offense and bad halfcourt defense. Then, we break down the Wizards, who seem to just be careening into a rebuild as this season starts in such a messy way. 

Finally, we chat about the Kings! The Kings! I like the Kings! #TheKingsAreGood

In this episode, I chat with Joe Vardon of The Athletic about Ty Lue's firing. How did he break the story? What factors inside the organization played a role in his departure? Where do the Cavaliers go from here? 

Then, I chat with Jared Dubin where we break down why the Houston Rockets' defense has been so bad to start the season. Then, we chat about Jimmy Butler trade rumors to Houston, and why the four first round picks don't really pass the smell test. Finally, we chat about Miami's culture of development and prospect identification, and I give some Johnathan Williams stories as the former Gonzaga big man breaks out for the Lakers. 

In this episode, MGrads comes on and chats about a bunch of stuff in the basketball world, and explains himself. Specifically, we talk about the G-League contracts, some one-and-done stuff, Darius Bazley, what some one-and-done kids should do, trainers, and more. 

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach from the San Jose Mercury News about some of the things that have surprised us early on in the NBA. Here are the topics we discuss: 

Boston Celtics Offense

The Pelicans and League-Wide Pace

Denver Nuggets Defense

The Thunder are Rough

The Bulls are Awful but Zach LaVine is not

The Spurs, DeRozan, Aldridge, and offense

The Kings are Feisty

The Raptors are great now

In this episode, Tony Jones from The Athletic joins to discuss the great spitting controversy of 2018, and we lay out prediction about what the punishment should have been for Rajon Rondo, Brandon Ingram, and Chris Paul. We also discuss how this type of stuff will affect how we remember Rondo's career. 

Then, we break down Utah vs. Golden State, which was the game of the young NBA season. How you know Golden State thinks Utah is a real team (they actually tried to win), how Stephen Curry is basically going god mode this season, and how the Jazz need to find a way to get more offensive creativity to reach that next level. 

Then, Chris Stone joins the show to give a quick preseason breakdown on the 2019 NBA Draft's potential wings. Why it has potential to be this draft's position of strength. Names discussed:

RJ Barrett, Nassir Little, Romeo Langford, Keldon Johnson, Kevin Porter, Tyus Battle, Jarrett Culver, Kris Wilkes, Charles Matthews, Jarrey Foster, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Matisse Thybulle, Jalen Hudson, Kellan Grady, Zach Norvell, the Martin twins, John Petty, Fletcher Magee, TJ Gibbs, Herb Jones, Jordan Poole, Kerwin Roach, Lagerald Vick, Xavier Sneed, Josh Reaves, Desmond Bane

In this episode, Dave DuFour joins to chat about all of the NBA's opening few days. We run through something we saw from every team, what we're excited about, what we're watching, and what we are expecting going forward. 

First though, we break down the Lakers-Blazers in-depth, then we break down Milwaukee's new offense, Houston's continued defensive questions, New Orleans' athleticism, Minnesota's weird game with San Antonio, and then we run through everything else that happened over the first three days. 

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach joins Sam to break down Great British Bake Off, Hereditary, Haunting of Hill House...well, for the first seven minutes at least. 

But if you want to skip forward to the basketball, the Celtics win over the 76ers takes up half the conversation due to the fascinating nature of the game. Jayson Tatum making the leap? Gordon Hayward's return? Kyrie's game, the bench, etc. Then, they chat about the 76ers, the Simmons game, their offensive gameplan, and particularly Markelle Fultz, and what the Sixers should do with him right now. Also, Joel Embiid and turnovers. Mostly, it's why I'm not melting down about Philadelphia.

Then they move on to the Warriors win over the Thunder, Stephen Curry's monster outing, the stars' play, and more. They also focus in on the center position, Damian Jones and Kevon Looney, and the Warriors bench. 

Finally, they chat about the teams they're excited for this week. Dieter wants to watch Indiana, I want to watch Minnesota, and we're both excited for Utah and more. And then we finish on Venom. Because Venom is getting underrated. 

In this episode, Tony Jones joins the podcast to chat about Jimmy Butler coming to practice, Joakim Noah being gone, and some NBA awards predictions. 

First, Jimmy Butler came to practice (shout out MGRADS), and totally destroyed his teammates. Why is he still in Minnesota? Why are they seriously going to play him this season to start the year? What a bad idea. 

Then, we chat about why stretching Noah now is a bad idea versus later, and some of the other cuts around the NBA. Finally, we chat about Mike Muscala's dad, why the 76ers did the right thing getting out in front of it, and why there's no place for that bullshit. 

Finally, we give predictions on MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, first time All-NBA player, Western/Eastern Conference Finalists, NBA Finalists, and NBA Champion.