By Hypothetical Adventures in Sports History
The podcast currently has 52 episodes available.
Kevin Durant shifted the entire landscape of the NBA in one Free Agency move. But while it did create a very temporary juggernaut, the impact of Durant's move impacted so much more than just this one stretch of a few years in the NBA. What did it mean for Golden State in the long term? Which team got hurt the most? What does it say about Steph's legacy?
Shootaround: Football is back and the Eagles are Backup QB whisperers; we give the Chicago Bulls their flowers.
How many of the 44 players that went straight to the NBA from High School can you name? Don't worry, we'll wait once you get past Kwame Brown. The NBA gave us a myriad of reasons for doing this, but the results were varied. The change forced a frantic alteration as to how college programs recruit, how potential recruits view their career development and eventually led to the NBA G-League team specifically for those wishing to forego college. But... what if we still allowed players to go straight to the NBA. Looking at you Big Baller Brand.
Shootaround: Is the media narrative finally going to cover LeBron objectively? If his latest brawl has anything to say, then yes; Are the Warriors the team to stop once again? Are we having an NBA season with the Eagles back?
Carmelo Anthony was always a curious case. The one of the "Big 4" who didn't join the Heatles, but instead chaced his bliss in New York. Carmelo never quite got a ring and never quite reached legend status for any one team (although, New York came close). The narrative on him has bounced up and down across the board with us once again ready to appreciate Melo Da Gawd. But what if he stayed in Denver?
Shootaround: Nicola Jokic is getting as spicy as his Balkan blood allows, although he may not want it with the Morris Twins; rich team owner does racist things update on Robert Sarver; and Serge and Sam share their best watches of the NBA season so far.
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With the truncated 2020-2021 season it felt like it was the Brooklyn Nets against the field. And while the Nets came close, they ultimately lost out to the eventual champions. Meanwhile, on the other side of the bracket, one of the top 10 players in the League laboured through a 4-3 loss to the up-and-coming Atlanta Hawks, basically clearing the way for Giannis to secure his ring. How significant was Joel's injury to both harming the 76ers chances to go all the way and helping the Bucks overcome their final hurdle? Does a healthy Joel mean a better Sixers team? Does that mean a championship for the city of brotherly love?
Shootaround: We're back and we chat about what we've been up to during the hiatus; the NBA is kicking again and we discuss some of the more exciting storylines we have for this season; is the NFL season happening this year? We check in with Serge.
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In the final episode of Season 2, Serge and Sam take a look at the season that was (and that wasn't in the NBA. With the League pushing aggressive dates for the games to come back, many players didn't get any rest and recovery days, resulting in one of the most injury heavy years in history. And despite LeBron James making it all about him, this had a heavy impact on the league as a whole.
Shootaround: Checking in on the Euro 2020 (2021*); discussing the situation in Dallas (we might even make a pivot table).
The Brooklyn Nets needed to make a splash. Despite moving to New York and working to acquire the likes of Deron Williams, they were still the Knicks little brother. So, in the only recorded moment in history when Danny Ainge actually pulled a trigger on a trade that made sense, the Nets rolled up a veritable cache of assets to Boston for the likes of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry. This was a trade that we're still seeing the impact of now, both with how the Celtics were able to rebuild, and how Brooklyn bottomed out just enough to get to where they are. So what if it never took place?
Shootaround: Serge is excited for the Euros; the NBA Playoffs are at full swing; don't ask us how we feel about Trae Young.
Once upon a time, the NBA had a shorter first-round. This meant that we could skip the inevitable beatdown of lower seeds AND simultaneously increase the chances of an upset. It was perfectly balanced like all things should be. Then, for some reason (MONEY), the NBA introduced the best of seven format to the first round. So here we are, revisiting the good times.
Shootaround: Coming off the #EuropaLeague Final shootout; taking a look at ongoing NBA Playoffs and Kyrie Irving's comments.
Oh what could have been. Kevin Durant? Russell Westbrook? An ownership willing to pay James Harden to stay? As Seattle gets an NHL expansion team, we revisit the delight that were the Supersonics (seriously, Serge is a huge fan). Why did the team leave? Is it in a better place? Does staying in Seattle change literally anything for the NBA? Join us as we reminisce about the Sonics, talk about what potential owners could have saved the franchise and why fanbases matter.
Shootaround: There's only one thing to talk about, it's the NBA Play-Ins; Serge and Sam make their predictions on the eve of the first two games (spoiler alert, we recorded this before Hornets - Pacers even started).
Football (soccer) as we know it almost came to an end last month. The European Super League seems like a fever dream at this point, but with three teams still clinging to the dream (Serie A is seriously considering clamping Juventus) we revisit the moment that almost destroyed football as we know it.
Shootaround: Russ sets the record; Wizards can be a Play-In problem; Is Kyle Lowry going to take a cut to stay in Toronto or fight for a ring?
In 2017, Russell Westbrook appeared to have broken the game of basketball. After Kevin Durant departed for Golden State, Westbrook went weapons-grade and delivered what can only be described as statistically one of the best seasons of all time. We rewarded him with an MVP for his efforts and Houston bestowed a 1-4 Playoff exist. Did that year break the game? Did it change how we view basketball? Do stats even matter anymore in the modern NBA when anyone can go off for 35 on any given night? Who knows.
Shootaround: The NFL Draft has come and gone and Sam is very enthusiastic about the Patriots new QB; Serge looks forward to the new WR; Russell Westbrook (hey-yoooo) is rounding out his form again just in time for the play-ins; are the play-ins good?
The podcast currently has 52 episodes available.