Hail To The District Podcast

Rajan and John rank the top 25 players for the 2017-2018 NBA season to date, with the premise of: if you were playing a basketball game tonight, with everything on the line, who is among the top of the list of players that you'd want on your team? Discussion topics include: debating who the second-best player in the NBA (4:56), whether the Wizards could miss the playoffs this season (10:01), Kyrie Irving becoming a top 6 player in the NBA (14:22), Kristaps Porizingis the NBA's most under-discussed new superstar (18:49), where Joel Embiid should be ranked (31:58), defending the legacy of Sam Hinkie (38:19), whether John Wall deserves to be in the top 25 of this season (45:56), and selling Real Estate on "Karl-Anthony Towns Peninsula" (1:06:15).

In Part 2 of their 2017-2018 NBA season preview, the HTTD basketball trio of Rajan, John, and Neel start examine storylines in the NBA's Eastern Conference, including LeBron James' chances at winning the MVP award this year (2:12), if the Cavaliers are primed for a blockbuster midseason trade (5:02), different ways the Wizards could/should trade Ian Mahinmi (19:07), Milwaukee's chances of improving on last year's performance (34:19), the Chicago Bulls terrible moves in the 2017 NBA Draft (44:54), the Charlotte Hornets overcoming the self-inflicted "Dwightbola" virus (50:37), and why Lavar Ball is the sports version of Donald Trump (57:59).

With the 2017-2018 NBA season set to top off tonight, the HTTD basketball trio of Rajan, Neel, and John sat down for Part 1 of their two-part season preview podcast(s), taking a look at the storylines in the NBA's Western Conference. Discussion topics include: the Minnesota Timberwolves after the acquisition of Jimmy Butler (3:06), the Lakers being a surprise playoff contenders this year (8:55), picks for the 2017-2018 Rookie Of The Year (19:32), if the San Antonio Spurs fall out of the top 3 in the West (27:36), an honest assessment of the Oklahoma City Thunder (31:08), the most popular and connected player in the NBA (36:11), and whether it's cool to root for the Golden State Warriors, or to root against them (39:15).

Rajan, John, and Neel convened to discuss John Wall's contract extension with the Washington Wizards, and Kyrie Irving's trade demands to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Discussion topics include: John Wall's extension being a win-win scenario (2:10), if the Wizards are an Eastern Conference "superteam" (12:55), Kyrie Irving being the modern day Stephon Marbury (25:23), why the Knicks make the most sense for a Kyrie Irving trade desination (29:46), all the "What Ifs" for the Cavaliers offseason (43:43), and other news and notes from the NBA (52:54).

The basketball-obsessed trio of Rajan, Neel, and John reconvene to break down the ridiculous 2017 NBA Offseason. Discussion topics include: was the Wizards re-signing Otto Porter Jr. the right decision? (2:49), how realistic is the possibility of John Wall leaving DC in 2019 (11:43), if the Wizards could still trade for Demarcus Cousins (18:49), if the Boston Celtics really got better this offseason (25:20), how Minnesota became evolutionary Chicago Bulls (32:13), if both Paul George and Russell Westbrook leave Oklahoma City for Los Angeles (49:17), how the Golden State Warriors actually got better in the offseason (54:14), if Carmelo Anthony a good fit for the new-look Houston Rockets (1:01:28), and how the 76ers have become the most fun young team in the NBA (1:06:42).

Rajan is rejoined by good friends and fellow basketball fans Neel and John, to provide their wrap-up thoughts on the 2017 NBA Finals, and to take a look ahead at what could be a very interesting offseason in the NBA. Discussion topics include: if Golden State losing game in the Finals takes away from their spot in history (3:24); LeBron James is still, unquestionably, the best basketball player on the planet (8:26); why you can't root against Durant for joining the Golden State Warriors (13:22); how this Golden State team stacks up against other historically great teams (29:41); if Golden State can keep this team together as their top players approach free agency (38:14); players the Cavaliers could add, in order to dethrone the Warriros (51:26); and how the Philadelphia 76ers are the most interesting team in the 2017 NBA Draft (1:01:40).

Rajan is rejoined by good friends and fellow basketball fans Neel and John, to preview the 2017 NBA Playoffs. They discuss the Wizards vs. Hawks playoff match up (1:59), if the Bulls could actually be a problem for the Celtics (14:15), John Wall deserving All-NBA Second Team selection over Isaiah Thomas (21:38), if an NBA team win a championship with JaVale McGee on the team? (32:54), which coach is deserving of the Coach of the Year award (40:13), the James Harden vs. Russell Westbrook for MVP debate (53:34), all the dominoes in the 2017 NBA Draft lottery (1:10:23), and the future salary cap situation for the Wizards (1:17:57).

Rajan chats with Dane Brugler, Senior NFL Draft Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com and CBSSports.com, about the 2017 NFL Draft, and some of the players the Redskins could take in the first round. Discussion topics include: could the Redskins draft running back Dalvin Cook, who is potentially the best running back in the 2017 draft? (4:06) Would Christian McCaffrey be a good fit for the Redskins? (8:06) Why would Reuben Foster, one of the top prospects in the draft, potentially be available at #17 overall? (11:01) What position would be the best fit for linebacker Haason Reddick in the Redskins defense? (15:25) Should the Redskins take a chance on defensive lineman Malik McDowell? (17:43) Who are the under-the-radar players who could rise into the first round of the draft? (19:35)

Rajan and John jump on the horn for an impromptu podcast, to talk about the 2017 NBA trade deadline and the acquisition of Bojan Bogdanovich by the Washington Wizards. Discussion topics include: Ernie Grunfeld cleaning up a mess he previously made (1:28), what Bojan Bogdanovich provides to the Wizards (9:43), an early look at the playoff race in the Eastern Conference (13:21), the elite prospects at the top of the 2017 NBA Draft (19:51), the trainwreck that was the DeMarcus Cousins trade (23:57), other potential and hypothetical trade acquisitions for the Wizards (34:22), if John Wall will try to join Boogie Cousins in New Orleans (40:50), and how the Boston Celtics can reshape the Eastern Conference at the trade deadline (43:40).

Rajan and fellow HTTD writer Dash K. discuss the instant classic that was the Wizards vs. Cavaliers game earlier in the week (1:48), if the Wizards can make a trade at the deadline to bolster their bench (11:44), hypothetical trades the Wizards could/should make (20:28), their recaps of Super Bowl LI (28:01), if Bill Belichick is the greatest organizational CEO ever (33:32), the saga of the Redskins re-signing Kirk Cousins (40:02), running back being a major position of need for the Redskins (44:42), and who the Redskins could take with the #17 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft (51:35).