In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we sit down with Allie Clifton — NBA sideline reporter for Amazon Prime, studio host for Spectrum SportsNet, and co-host of the hit show Road Trippin’. Allie delivers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 Los Angeles Lakers, the state of NBA media, and what fans don’t see when it comes to the lives and pressures of NBA players.

Allie shares how she built her career from a small town in Ohio to covering LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and now Luka Dončić in Los Angeles. She discusses the evolution of NBA player-media relationships after 2020, how access has changed, and why understanding players as people first matters more than ever.

We dive deep into:

Luka Dončić joining the Lakers and the shock inside the building

What makes Luka different from other superstars Allie has covered

Austin Reaves’ rise and why he might be a future Laker cornerstone

How JJ Redick has reshaped the Lakers’ identity in 2025

Misconceptions about Lakers fans and the culture of the franchise

The growth of NBA broadcasting on Amazon, NBC, ESPN & streaming

Why the league’s young stars and veteran greats make this one of the best eras ever

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In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Walton, Timberwolves reporter for Zone Coverage Minnesota, to break down every major storyline around the most fascinating team in the NBA this season.

We dive into:

🏀 Why the Timberwolves’ identity has flipped — from a defense-first team to a top-tier offensive squad.

🏀 Anthony Edwards’ evolution as a primary playmaker and whether he can realistically enter the MVP race.

🏀 What’s driving Minnesota’s defensive inconsistencies, including the impact of losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the emergence of Jaylen Clark.

🏀 How Jaden McDaniels has transformed into one of the league’s most efficient and improved players.

🏀 The point guard question: Mike Conley’s changing role, Rob Dillingham’s development, and how the Wolves mitigate ball-handling challenges.

🏀 Minnesota’s record against winning and losing teams — what it really means.

🏀 NBA-wide issues, including rising calf injuries, faster pace of play, and league-wide scheduling.

🏀 NBA expansion talk: What Seattle and Las Vegas entering the league could mean for Minnesota—including a potential move to the Eastern Conference.

🏀 Denver, OKC, Houston & the West — how the Wolves match up with the conference’s top threats.

🏀 Prince jerseys, Minnesota sports culture, and why a Wolves championship would be a historic moment for the state.

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Join us for a deep dive into one of the NBA’s most intriguing franchises — the Utah Jazz — as Allan and Matt welcome Eric Spyropoulos, digital writer for the Jazz, to break down the state of the team, the rebuild, the young core, Lauri Markkanen’s resurgence, Ace Bailey’s development, and how Utah compares to other rebuild success stories like OKC, Houston, and Detroit.

We explore whether the Jazz are ahead of schedule, how Will Hardy’s system elevates young talent, and what Utah’s long-term vision looks like as they build through the draft.

Eric also shares an insider perspective on:

The growth of Keyonte George

The expectations for Ace Bailey

How Walker Kessler’s injury impacts the season

Which young players Jazz fans should keep their eyes on

Whether the Jazz could be active at the trade deadline

How Utah is building a sustainable culture similar to the Celtics & Thunder

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In this episode of Hoopsology Podcast, Matt and Allan welcome back Danielle Lerner, Houston Chronicle’s Rockets beat writer, to break down the state of Houston basketball and the Rockets’ resurgence.

We cover everything from:

The buzz around Kevin Durant’s arrival in Houston

How Ime Udoka’s leadership has reshaped the team culture

Alperen Sengun’s development and his evolving role as a leader

The impact of Fred VanVleet’s injury and the point guard situation

How the Rockets stack up in the Western Conference

The future of Houston’s fanbase and sports identity

Danielle gives an insider’s perspective on the Rockets’ rebuild, their locker room chemistry, and why Houston might finally be on the verge of something special.

Whether you’re a Rockets fan or just an NBA junkie, this episode offers sharp analysis, locker room insights, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the league’s most interesting teams.

📺 Watch more Hoopsology interviews with top NBA journalists, analysts, and insiders every week.

👉 Subscribe for in-depth NBA and WNBA interviews: @HoopsologyPodcast

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In this episode of Hoopsology, we welcome New York Times bestselling author Shea Serrano, who joins us to discuss his latest book, Expensive Basketball — a unique and heartfelt exploration of why fans truly love the game.

Shea breaks down the emotion behind basketball — why we remember Michael Jordan’s flu game or Kobe Bryant’s mentality more than any stat line. He explains how feelings, heartbreak, and connection define the game for fans around the world, from the NBA to the WNBA.

We also dive deep into:

The inspiration behind Expensive Basketball

Why stats can’t capture the soul of the sport

The evolution of how we connect with players in the social media era

The growing respect and excitement around the WNBA

How heartbreak and joy coexist in every fan’s journey

Why Tim Duncan, MJ, and LeBron remain timeless icons

Whether you’re an NBA diehard, a fan of great writing, or just love basketball culture, this is one of our most thoughtful and inspiring conversations yet.

📘 Buy Shea Serrano’s book “Expensive Basketball” everywhere books are sold

🎧 Subscribe to Hoopsology for more interviews with authors, players, and creators who shape basketball culture.

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In this episode of Hoopsology, we sit down with Jim Bachman, the voice of Villanova basketball and the BIG3, to pull back the curtain on one of basketball’s most fascinating careers. From calling games for Jay Wright’s championship Wildcats to announcing for Ice Cube’s revolutionary BIG3 league, Jim shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories about basketball’s past, present, and future.

You’ll hear how he got his start as a student announcer at Villanova, how a chance opportunity led him to become the voice of Ice Cube’s Big3, and why the NBA might not be too happy with the BIG3’s success. Jim also talks about the challenges of calling games with tough player names, the difference between announcing college and pro players, and why the Big3’s streetball roots make it one of the most authentic basketball experiences today.

🔹 Key Topics:

The story of how Ice Cube handpicked the Big3’s announcer

What it’s like working courtside with legends like Dr. J, Dwight Howard, and Joe Johnson

The behind-the-scenes tension between the NBA and BIG3

Jim’s philosophy on balancing energy, emotion, and professionalism

The evolution of basketball entertainment—from Villanova to the Intuit Dome

How AI could change sports announcing (and why it shouldn’t)

Whether you’re a fan of the NBA, college hoops, or the BIG3, this episode dives deep into how basketball continues to evolve—and how the voices behind the game keep its soul alive.

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In this episode of Hoopsology, hosts dive deep into the incredible 30-year journey of the Toronto Raptors with Eric Smith, longtime Raptors broadcaster, and Andrew Bricker, co-authors of We the Raptors.

🏀 About the Episode:

Eric and Andrew share the untold stories behind the Raptors’ rise — from the early days of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady to the 2019 championship run and the team’s enduring impact across Canada. This isn’t just a sports book — it’s a love letter to the players, fans, and city that built a basketball powerhouse.

🔥 In This Conversation:

How We the Raptors came together and what inspired the project

Behind-the-scenes tales from 30 years of Raptors basketball

Why role players like Patrick Patterson and Bismack Biyombo shaped the team’s culture

The human side of NBA players — vulnerability, family, and life after the spotlight

Eric Smith on calling 20+ years of Raptors games

How basketball has taken over Canada — and could the NBA return to Vancouver?

The future of Canadian basketball and the Raptors’ playoff outlook

Whether you’re a lifelong Raptors fan or just love behind-the-scenes basketball stories, this episode is packed with insight, nostalgia, and inspiration.

📘 Buy “We the Raptors: Thirty Players, Thirty Stories, Thirty Years – Available now wherever books are sold.

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In this episode of Hoopsology, hosts Justin and Alan welcome back Portland Trail Blazers insider Danny Marang (Rip City Wrap-Up, 1080 The Fan, KATU Portland) to break down the fallout from the Chauncey Billups FBI gambling investigation and what it means for the future of the league.

Marang takes us inside the story — revealing how he first heard about the news, the emotional reaction in Portland, and how this unprecedented scandal involving Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones connects to the mob, FBI tactics, and sports betting’s growing influence on the NBA.

🏀 Topics covered include:

The FBI’s case against Chauncey Billups and its shocking mob connections

How the NBA’s partnership with DraftKings & FanDuel complicates the issue

The impact on the Portland Trail Blazers, Tiago Splitter’s unexpected promotion, and the team’s new defensive identity

Whether Adam Silver can survive an integrity crisis this big

How Damian Lillard’s leadership and the Blazers’ defensive energy are keeping fans hopeful

Plus: Marang shares behind-the-scenes details from inside the Blazers’ locker room, thoughts on NBA media coverage, and his prediction for how the league rebuilds trust with fans.

🎧 Subscribe to Hoopsology for real basketball talk — no hot takes, just insight, perspective, and passion for the game.

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In this episode of Hoopsology, hosts Justin Goodrum and Matt Thomas sit down with Michael Grange — journalist, NBA analyst, and author of Basketball Now: The Inside Stories of the Brightest Stars of the NBA. Grange takes us inside his new book and shares his insights on the current state of the league, the rise of Canadian basketball, and why this era of the NBA might be the most talented in history.

From LeBron, KD, and Steph to rising stars like Victor Wembanyama and Paolo Banchero, we explore the generational shift happening in real time. Grange also reflects on how basketball culture has exploded in Canada — tracing its growth from Toronto playgrounds in the 1980s to producing NBA superstars today.

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In this episode of Hoopsology's ITL, the crew dives deep into the NBA’s biggest stories, including:

🔥 LeBron & Lakers Drama — Sports journalist Yaron Weitzman’s new book A Hollywood Ending sparks controversy in Los Angeles, exposing tension between LeBron James and the Lakers’ front office. The Hoopsology hosts discuss the fallout, potential lawsuits, and how the book shapes LeBron’s legacy.

💰 WNBA CBA Showdown — The WNBA faces a potential lockout as players clash with ownership over pay equity, travel, and league transparency. The team analyzes Cathy Engelbert’s leadership, Napheesa Collier’s public comments, and the rise of alternative leagues like Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited that could shift women’s basketball forever.

The hosts also give their thoughts on the NBA Gambling scandal.

📺 NBA Broadcasting Revolution — The crew breaks down how NBC and Amazon Prime are redefining basketball coverage. From Bob Costas intros to Michael Jordan halftime interviews, the new broadcast era feels fresh, polished, and focused on the game instead of hot takes.

🏆 Early Season Surprises — Plus, the guys react to hot starts from the Spurs, Bulls, and 76ers, and disappointments from the Magic and Pelicans. Is Wemby already the league’s next generational superstar?

If you’re passionate about the NBA, WNBA, and the culture of basketball — this episode is for you.

📲 Subscribe to Hoopsology Podcast for weekly NBA and WNBA analysis, exclusive interviews, and smart conversations that go beyond the box score.

#HoopsologyPodcast #NBA #WNBA #LeBronJames #Lakers #WNBAPlayers #CBA #BasketballPodcast #NBABroadcast #WNBADrama #InTheLab #MattThomas #JustinGoodrum #AllenMunzer #NBA2025 #Hoopsology

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