Hoop Ties

We are live on location at New Jersey City University for our first ever “No Pump Fakes” live recording. Shoutout NJCU for hosting us and all the fans who showed love!

In the words of Ahmad K Smith - The Knicks are a poverty franchise, aka Bing Bong. What do the Knicks need to do this off-season to become a playoff contender? Is Donovan Mitchell the star the Knicks need? Who has the brighter future between the Lakers and the Knicks? The Miami Heat are one of the most balanced teams in the league, can they go all the way?

Ahmad Smith on Instagram

Theus McBee on Instagram

Can the Golden State Warriors steal both on the road from Memphis? This is a valuable lesson for Ja, one possession can make the difference in a series. Shoutout to Jordan Poole - a STAR.

The Bucks just stole home court from Boston, Giannis didn’t have a great game, and they’re missing Khris Middleton. Boston is in trouble - this may be a sweep. Are the Heat the only team that can stop the Bucks?

Which James Harden are we going to see with Embiid out? There is no excuse for Harden not to make this a series. James Harden figure it out, produce and get paid!

Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell will not be teammates to start the next season.

Ahmad Smith on Instagram

Theus McBee on Instagram

Favourite Playoff memory in your life? Let's start with the 2016 Playoffs and LeBron coming back with the Cavs! When Kobe picked up another Chip against the Magic. The Playoffs are where players separate themselves from good to great. Thoughts on the final game of the Nets season…is Jayson Tatum going to finish his career with more rings than KD?

Ahmad Smith on Instagram

Theus McBee on Instagram

Ahmad is repping the funeral colors…brooms are popping for this Nets/Celtics series. It’s straight out nasty for the Brooklyn Nets. We have never witnessed this from Kevin Durant, he’s rattled and the basketball world is shook.

Giannis is proving and adding to his case that he’s the best player in the world. The Memphis Grizzlies talked a lot of smack in the regular season. Are the New Orleans Pelicans going to advance? The Playoffs prove that your regular season means nothing. The Playoffs are different.

Ahmad Smith on Instagram

Theus McBee on Instagram

It's official, Ben Simmons may be returning. Should Brooklyn Nets fans be rejoicing or is it too late. Are the Nets missing James Harden now more than ever?

DeMar came out and said he would bounce back and he did just that with a win on the road and a 40-piece. With Middleton out, the pressure is on for Giannis to show up. 

The streets said the Raptors were gonna beat the 76ers…

Do the New Orleans Pelicans have the best player on the court with Book out?

Ahmad Smith on Instagram

Theus McBee on Instagram

Playoff basketball is underway! Jayson Tatum with the game-winning buzzer-beater, he’s special! Not only can he drop 30 on you he can also go out and guard your best player. Who’s the best player in the Celtics/Nets series?

Can Nikola Jokic be the best player on a Championship team or is he a stat filler? Running your offence through a Center is great but in the playoffs, you need a wing player who can get you a bucket when you need it most. It begs the question, is the MVP Award watered down?

This is about to be the last time we see Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert together. Utah is going home next round.

Ahmad Smith on Instagram

Theus McBee on Instagram

The official playoff preview…from first-round exits to the 2022 NBA Champions. Is it clear-cut that the team with the best player should win the series? Will the Utah Jazz get out of the first round and we look forward to the Patrick Beverley and Ja Morant matchup. We got the Phoenix Suns getting to the Finals, congratulations in advance. 

Trae Young is cold, he’s special and that's why in a playoff series the Hawks have a chance. The 76ers may lose in the first round or go to the NBA Finals. The Raptors are playing with house money and the 76ers have everything to lose. Whoever wins between the Bucks and Nets will go on to win the NBA Finals. 

Ahmad Smith on Instagram

Theus McBee on Instagram

Is Joel Embiid the best player in the world? Are the Milwaukee Bucks ducking the Brooklyn Nets? Which play-in game are we looking forward to the most? How much does voter fatigue impact MVP votes? Our selections for end-of-year awards! The road the Boston Celtics have to take is tough…good luck.

Ahmad Smith on Instagram

Theus McBee on Instagram

Chris Paul is a franchise changer, he makes a positive impact on winning. Will Chris Paul’s legacy be criticized if he doesn’t win a Championship? People are quick to talk about the Memphis Grizzlies as a Championship contender, we love their energy but remember they haven’t done anything in the playoffs, be humble. The Eastern Conference is a blood bath, we’ve been saying it all season and these last few games count!

Ahmad Smith on Instagram

Theus McBee on Instagram

LeBron has a history of carrying teams to the playoffs but have we ever seen a player his age cope with these expectations? Just remember to keep that same energy with everyone else. Russell Westbrook showed up and his contemporaries didn’t - that's the bottom line. 

When we look at Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo...who will go down with the better career? What's more important “resume” or “rings” - when it comes to ranking players you have to account for everything. 

Ahmad Smith on Instagram

Theus McBee on Instagram