Ep. 114 Learning Basketball with Chip Williams @ChipWilliamsjr

Chip Williams covers the Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, and NBA Draft Scouting with Film Breakdowns on Twitter and YouTube @TheSecondJump

Today we learn about Jaren Jackson Jr.'s meaning to Memphis, JJJ's development from prospect to actualized unicorn, why the Grizzlies traded Jaren and how long the Grizzlies will hold onto Ja Morant, the Ja-Bane-Brooks-Jaren-Adams Grizz era, Bane's impact on the Magic, and scouting thoughts on potential 2026 NBA Draft Gems - Dailyn Swain, Ebuka Okorie, Allen Graves, Chris Cenac Jr., Morez Johnson, Brayden Burries, Nate Ament

00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 JJJs development

10:00 Why Memphis Kept Ja

15:00 Why Memphis Traded Jaren

18:00 What Jaren and that team meant to Memphis as the era after grit n grind, Jaren being the last to

28:00 Ja Bane Brook Jaren + Bane Trade33:00 Bane Magic impact + 3pt shooting development

47:00  Potential 2026 NBA Draft Gems

Daily Swain

Ebuka Okorie

Allen Graves

Nate Ament

Chris Cenac Jr.

Morez Johnson

Brayden Burries

Ep. 113 Learning Basketball with Charlie Cummings @klaytheist11 Charlie Cummings is an NBA Analyst with Swish Theory and Writer for DraftKings Network, Celtics Blog, and Warriors Invite covering the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and NBA at large.

Today we learn about the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline, discuss why the tanking team's were the biggest buyers making the blockbuster splash trades, the logic behind the moves, the value of trade pieces, and team building logic keying in on three deals – Ivica Zubac to the Pacers, Anthony Davis to the Wizards, Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Jazz

Timeline:00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 NBA Trade Deadline Reactions

05:00 Teams Fading The 2027 NBA Draft

07:00 Team Building Strategies and Trade Value

10:00 Wizards Risk Assessment Trading for Anthony Davis
31:00 Pacers Risk Assessment Trading for Ivica Zubac
55:00 Jazz Risk Assessment Trading for Jaren Jackson Jr.

01:20:00 Balancing Talent, Lineups, Skills, and Team Needs for Competitive Edge

Ep. 112 Learning Basketball with Spencer Davies @SpinDavies

Spencer Davies is a Cleveland Cavaliers Reporter for Clutch Points and Cavs Roundtable, a National NBA feature writer for RG media, an NBA Draft Writer for Babcock Hoops, and covers NBA at Run The Show

Today we learn about why the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Darius Garland for James Harden, Garland's potential vs Harden's immediate impact, how the Harden-Donovan Mitchell backcourt will work together, how the CP3-Harden-Dantoni Rockets factor in as proof of concept, how Harden's playmaking could put everyone in ideal roles, and how the Cavs created flexibility, shed salary, and improved today's roster with Harden's scoring creation and the added toughness of Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis at the NBA Trade Deadline.

Timeline:

00:00

Introduction and Background of Spencer Davies

01:10

Darius Garland's Impact on the Cavs and Fans

03:55

The Trade Dynamics: Garland for Harden

06:35

Financial Flexibility and Team Strategy

09:26

Harden's Fit with the Cavs

12:05

Offensive and Defensive Considerations

14:48

Playoff Experience and Leadership

17:29

Conclusion and Future Outlook

27:16

Dynamic Duo: The Impact of Mitchell and Harden

30:32

Championship Aspirations: The Cavs' Bold Moves

32:43

Offensive Chemistry: Balancing Stars and Roles

36:09

Future Outlook: The Cavs' Path to the Finals

38:44

Assessing Competition: Who Can Challenge the Cavs?

51:15

The East's Evolution: A Competitive Landscape Ahead

54:12

Eastern Conference Dynamics

55:06

Parody in the NBA

56:30

Orlando Magic's Potential

58:46

Injuries and Team Identity

01:00:39

Winning Ugly: The Magic's Strategy

01:02:01

Cavs' Defensive Strategy

01:05:48

Cavs' Roster Changes and Impact

01:09:29

Schroeder's Role in the Cavs

01:13:27

Finding the Right Fit for the Cavs

01:14:38

Building Team Chemistry

Ep. 111 Learning Basketball with James Plowright @British_Buzz
@SwishTheory
James Plowright is a Freelance NBA Journalist currently working for

@SBnation recently covering Magic-Grizzlies at NBA London, covering the Charlotte Hornets for the Buzz Beat Pod.
Today we learn about the Hornets offense stinging the rest of the league for a #1 rating and winning record going on nearly two months; how did the Hornets turn the season around? How is Moussa Diabate the key that unlocks everything for this starting unit? Who is the primary option between Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, and Brandon Miller? Which role players have made key contributions between Sion James, Collin Sexton, Tre Mann, Liam McNeeley? Who is Hornets best option as longterm starting center between Diabate and Kalkbrenner?
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro & Background
1:00 Drafting All-Star Game Snub Lineups

19:00 How did the Charlotte Hornets season turn around?

27:00 Kon Knueppel’s Impact on the Offense + Who is the primary option between Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, and Brandon Miller?

32:00 How Moussa Diabate entering the starting lineup changed everything 

37:00 Highlighting Sion James defense, Collin Sexton scoring, second unit defense with Grant Williams and Josh Green, and potential of Liam McNeeley

43:00 Lonzo Ball Trade Rumors

47:00 Moussa Diabate Film Breakdown vs Wembanyama

51:00 Can Hornets Sustaining Success into Playoffs?

Watch/Listen to full episode of Learning Basketball on YouTube/Spotify/Apple

Ep. 110 Learning Basketball with Roger Galo @GaloMethod

Roger Galo is a NBA Shot-Making & Offensive Efficiency Specialist and author of the upcoming book The Pursuit of the Perfect Shot.

Today we learn about the science of shooting, how new methods of learning how to shoot could be on the frontier, what goes defining all the variables of shot making, what differentiates Steph’s shot from Klay’s form, what makes Jaren Jackson Jr. tough to guard, the mental aspect of shooting, what Lonzo Ball did to change his shot, how Desmond Bane’s Orlando Magic could address their shooting woes, why Maryland guard Darius Adams decided to alter his shooting mechanics, and preview Roger Galo’s new book, The Pursuit of the Perfect Shot.
Timeline:00:00 Introduction & Backgrounds to The Galo Method

03:00 The Science Behind Shot Making

08:00 Identifying Variables in Shooting Mechanics

11:00 Mindfulness in Practice

15:00 NC State Wearable Technology in Shooting Improvement
18:00 How Lonzo Ball Sped Up His Shot

25:00 Revolutionizing Shooting Techniques

34:00 Steph Vs. Klay vs. Jaren – Should Different Shot Types Require Different Shot Mechanics ? (Pull-Up, Movement, Catch-and-Shoot)

39:00 The Mental Aspect of Shooting

44:00 The Importance of Consistency in Shooting

50:00 The Corner Three: A Unique Shot

57:00 Desmond Bane & Orlando Magic Shooting

1:09:00 New Book: The Pursuit of the Perfect Shot

01:18:00 Darius Adams Developing Young Talent 

Watch & Listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple!

Ep. 109 Learning Basketball with Ben Pfeifer @bjpf_

Ben Pfeifer covers the NBA, NBA Draft, and Indiana Pacers for Sportscasting NBA and Swish Theory

Today we learn about Ben's draft grading film-based scouting process and detail the best guard class ever while drafting our Top-20 2026 NBA Draft Guards
Timestamps00:00 Introduction & Background

03:00 Ben Pfeifer's Draft Scouting Process 

05:00 Defining Winning Plays in Basketball

08:00 Evaluating Defensive Impact in Draft Prospects

11:00 The Importance of Context in Scouting

15:00 Historic Saturday Night for 2026 NBA Draft Freshman

17:00 Spotlight on Tyler Tanner's Potential

23:00 The Challenge of Undersized Guards

26:00 Scouting Profiles and Data Visualization

28:00 The Guards-Only 2026 NBA Draft

29:00 Darryn Peterson

34:00 Kingston Flemings

47:00 Mikel Brown

50:00 Ebuka Okorie

53:00 LaBaron Philon

56:00 Bennett Stirtz

59:00 Meleek Thomas

01:10:00 Darius Acuff

01:27:00 Acaden Lewis
11-20
11 Christian Anderson
12 Brayden Burries
13 Tamin Lipsey
14 Tahaad Pettiford
15 Braden Smith
16 Jaylen Petty
17 Bruce Thornton
18 Rob Wright19 Ja’Kobi Gillespie20 Cayden Boozer
 

Ep. 108 of Learning Basketball with Philip Rossman-Reich @philiprr_OMD

Philip is a Senior writer at Orlando Magic Daily and host of Locked On Magic podcast and freelance reporter for the AP

Today we learn about the Orlando Magic's up-and-down season, explain the inconsistencies, and discuss how the rest of the season can go from here as the team gets healthy with a lot of home games in there future, Anthony Black's breakout season, Rookies Noah Penda's and Jase Richardson's immediate impact, Orlando's Trade Deadline Plans, the new coaching staff's impact, and Phil's journey growing Orlando Magic Daily

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 Expectations vs. Reality for the Magic

05:00 Philip's Journey Growing Orlando Magic Daily

08:00 Magic Split International Series 1-1 vs Memphis

10:00 Explaining Inconsistencies

14:00 Defensive Struggles and Injuries

17:00 The Impact of key players

20:00 Gameplan, Coaching strategies, Unlocking Paolo Banchero

23:00 Season Outlook – As Orlando injuries come to an end for now, with a lighter travel the rest of the way, how do the Magic take advantage to reach their goals?

35:00 Phil's Thoughts on Coach Mosley's impact this season, his new staff and team playstyle

46:30

Rookie Contributions from Noah Penda and Jase Richardson

50:04

Trade Deadline Plans and Trade Candidates

Ep. 107 of Learning Basketball with Es Baraheni @JustEsBaraheni

Es Baraheni covers the Toronto Raptors & NBA at NBA Daily, Raptors Republic, and Sportscasting NBA.

Today we learn about Ja Morant Trade Rumors, The Trae Young Trade Aftermath for Atlanta and Washington, and this Toronto Raptors Surprise Start: the defensive versatility of Scottie Barnes and immediate two-way impact of Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, Brandon Ingram's tough shotmaking, Darko's coaching style, Barrett's and Quickley's scoring

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 Trae Young Trade Aftermath for Hawks & Wizards

12:00 Ja Morant Trade Rumors & Toronto Fit

31:00 Toronto Raptors Surprise of NBA Season - What’s Working? Scottie Barnes & Collin Murray-Boyles

37:00 How Brandon Ingram’s tough shotmaking spaces defensive frontcourt

45:00 Are Scottie and CMB both Untouchable Franchise Cornerstones in Trade Talks?53:00 Breaking Down 2025-26 Toronto Raptors:  Impact of Scorers Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett + Unsung Hero of  The Season?  Alijah Martin, Potential Draft/Trade Targets

Ep. 106 Learning Basketball with Josh Cohen @Josh_Cohen_NBA

Josh Cohen covers the Orlando Magic and NBA with OrlandoMagic.com and his YouTube channel

Today we learn about the state of the Orlando Magic halfway through the season, Paolo Banchero's clutch gamewinners and vital playmaking skills, Anthony Black's two-way development, Jamahl Mosley's motivational coaching tactics, and the strong rookie play of Jase Richardson and Noah Penda

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 Paolo Banchero's Clutch Shots, Playmaking Impact, and staying Confident through the noise of the NBA

18:00 Rookies Shine – Jase Richardson and Noah Penda

27:00 Coach Mosley's Motivational Coaching Tactics

35:00 Anthony Black's Development and Versatility + How do the Magic Rank Top-5 in Not Turning The Ball Over?

Ep. 105 Learning Basketball with Ku Khahil @KuKhahil

Ku Khahil covers the Detroit Pistons on his Substack newsletter and as host of the Locked On Detroit Pistons Podcast

Today we learn about the 1-seed Detroit Pistons, ask if Cade Cunningham can win MVP, and highlight the impact of Ausar Thompson's defense, Jalen Duren downhill playmaking, Jaden Ivey adjusting his role, Beef Stew's blocks, JB Bickerstaff's culture and the depth of this Pistons squad