Hoop Ties

Kyrie Irving is an MVP caliber player, but in what world would he win? Making the case on last year’s performance prior to his injury, Kyrie could average 40 and the NBA still wouldn’t give him MVP. The way the NBA gives out MVP awards isn’t right (LeBron should have more MVP awards) Does playing with KD and James Harden hurt or help Kyrie’s case?

If he misses half the season, why are people dismissing the Nets from a championship with KD and Harden? Who are the top 5 players in the Eastern Conference? Does Giannis get a seat at the table, and who deserves a seat for best player in the world?

Jalen Suggs and Josh Giddey are dark horse candidates for ROTY.

Highly anticipated episode - profiling the top 25 NBA players 25 and under. No Rookies on the list. From the likes of Trae Young, Zion Williamson, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić, Devin Booker, and Jamal Murray the league is stacked with talent. The top-3 is interchangeable based on who you ask with Luka, Trae, and JT. Some honourable mentions and who we expect to be on this list next year from Cam Reddish to Tyler Herro. 

Does Joel Embiid win MVP in the up coming season? Which would mean back-to-back years with a big man getting the award.  Is there a sleeper pick with Russell Westbrook as MVP?

We get into the politics that go into awards, the preferential treatment given to the media darlings and just how much media dictates the narrative. Trae Young, Bradley Beal, James Harden are all deserving when you look at the numbers. What will it take for Luka Dončić to be deserving of the award?

Who has more to prove this season Zion Williamson or Luka Dončić? The pressure is on Zion to compete for a playoff spot with the New Orleans Pelicans. How can Luka be considered a top-5 player without a second-round playoff appearance?

Devin Booker is under pressure this season to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke otherwise his Suns will be reminiscent of the Miami Heat in the bubble.

Ja Morant needs to prove that he’s worthy of taking that step into the elite category - he’s still with the SGA’s and De'Aaron Fox’s of the world. Especially when he’s talking all that. Kyrie, Trae, Steph, Dame, Chris Paul are all point guards ahead of him.

Jimmy Butler must prove that he’s a number 1 option and carry the Heat to the Eastern Conference Finals at the minimum. Kristaps Porziņģis will return to All-Star form under new head coach Jason Kidd.

Is MPJs max extension worth over $200M and what does it means to the Nuggets future? Did Denver make the right move, and can we credit them for building through the draft? The New York Knicks have drafted poorly over the years and why did so many teams doubt LaMelo Ball? Did the Warriors make a mistake by drafting James Wiseman? Will the Brooklyn Nets still win without Kyrie Irving, and can Zach Lavine move the needle from a playoff team to a championship team?

The NBA is almost back with training camp starting next week. Guys are arriving in market and the anticipation is rising. It’s a big year for basketball superstars - they all have something to prove. Whether its KD, Bron, Giannis or Steph they’re all competing with an edge. What do the Minnesota Timberwolves look like if they acquire Ben Simmons and what would they give up? Who do you take…KAT, Zion or Julius Randle?

Stephen Curry or Damian Lillard? Is Steph Curry a situational superstar who can adapt to his surroundings? Will the Warriors deal Klay Thompson for Bradley Beal and can they return to form? Building a team would you rather Dame Lillard or Paul George? Are the Bucks the team to beat and are they being disrespected by the sports world with no chance to repeat? Is there a world where the Toronto Raptors make it to the finals if they still had DeMar DeRozan and LeBron was in the west? Do we see Zion elevate his game this year and who are the top 5 young players to look out for?

With John Wall on the way out, what does this mean for Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green in Houston - Does this give them ample opportunity to step up? Does Ben Simmons makes sense and we talk what Philly could be with Wall.  The debate is on whether Kyrie Irving is a top 50 player of all time and finally, we get into if  international careers should be removed from consideration with the Hall of Fame?

The NBA Eastern Conference is a blood bath this upcoming season. Do the New York Knicks fill out the top half of the east and do they add a second All-star in either Kemba Walker or a vastly improved RJ Barrett? Giannis, Dirk, or KG? Can a 36-year-old LeBron James lead the NBA in scoring, and can he catch Kareem’s record? Lastly, we show love to the Hall of Fame class and is Karl-Anthony Towns a number one option on a playoff team?

Theus and Ahmad sit down and chop it up with Quinton Mayo, Washington Wizards insider. They discuss the aftermath of the Russell Westbrook trade. What do Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma bring to the team? Quinton also breaks down what the team needs to do to retain Bradley Beal for the foreseeable future and if the Wizards can be better than a fringe playoff team. Ahmad puts on wax that you cannot compare Steph Curry and Trae Young for reasons you may not guess. Cap or No Cap... is Nikola Jokić the best big man in the league?

Is Reggie Miller a prolific scorer compared to Ray Allen? Collin Sexton question marks, will he take that next step in his career, or will he face the Monta Ellis combo guard stigma? Is Kawhi Leonard a top 5 small forward of all time? The Atlanta Hawks are on the rise with a strong core of young growing players with the likes of Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter, what does the upcoming season look like for them? Will Pascal Siakam have his best year in a Raptors uniform?