Learning Basketball

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

Ep. 104 Learning Basketball with Aaron Proia is the owner of OWE Scouting, the host of the Hoops Thread Podcast, and a senior writer with Prep Hoops Maryland.
Today we learn about Aaron Proia’s basketball scouting philosophy, his process of scouting in person versus on film, NBA teams hunting intel, and an update on standout prospects on NBA Draft radars already in college and around the grassroots scene. Highlighting prospects like Jordan Smith Jr., Paul Osaruyi, Beckham Black, Jaxon Richardson, JoJo Philon, Baba Oladotun, Qayden Samuels, Meleek, Acuff, Bidunga

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction & Background

01:30 Scouting Philosophy

04:00 Comparing In-Person vs. Film Scouting Process, NBA Teams Hunting Intel, and Players (+FamilY) Understanding Pros & Cons of Scouts Always Watching

07:00 Player Developing Winning Traits that Translate to every level of basketball + The Importance of Character and Work Ethic

13:00 Communication between Coaches, Players, Scouts

16:00 Highlighting Standout Grassroots & High School basketball players at recent events

35:00 Deep Dive into IMG Academy's Roster

37:00 Beckham Black, Jaxon Richardson, Obinna Ekezie and Southeastern Prep

41:00 Made Hoops Event Standout Players

50:00 JoJo Philon and Steve Turner’s new Montverde program

57:00 Highlighting Standout Grassroots & High School basketball players at recent events

01:13:00 Meleek Thomas, Darius Acuff + Recent College Visits - Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma State

01:29:00 Past, Present, & Future of DMV Basketball

Ep. 103 Learning Basketball with Bennett Herbert! (@bendog28)

Bennett Herbert is a lawyer and San Antonio Spurs Fan who shares NBA Draft and NBA basketball analysis on Twitter.

Today we analyze and preview the Spurs-Thunder NBA Cup + Christmas Day marquee matchups and we learn more about Victor Wembanyama's shot deterrence, the Spurs guards (Fox Harper Castle Vassell) working together in complementary ways, the coaching stylistic similarities and differences between new Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson compared to Gregg Popovich, and we consider Wemby's award chances and the Spurs' title chances this season.

00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 Scouting Process Watching Film & Evaluating NBA Draft Prospects

05:00 The Intersection of Stats and Film

09:00 The State of the San Antonio Spurs 

12:00 Spurs-Thunder NBA Cup Matchup + Wembanyama’s on-court impact

15:00 San Antonio’s Three (four?) Guards are additive, not negative

18:00 Stephon Castle's Development and Ideal Offensive Role

21:00 The Spurs winning with and without Wemby playing small with Positionless Basketball

24:00 Defensive Goals of the Spurs

32:00 Comparing Head Coach Mitch Johnson’s styles to ‘el jefe’ Gregg Popovich39:00 Most Underrated Players in Spurs' Success?

42:00 Experimenting with Lineups: The Sneaky Killer Big Man Duo of Wemby and Kornet

45:00 Christmas Day Preview: Spurs vs. Thunder

48:00 Wemby’s Award Chances for DPOY and MVP

51:00 The Spurs are here early. Are they already Contenders or still playoff Pretenders? 

Ep. 102 Learning Basketball with Horace Grant! @HoraceGrant54

a @SwishTheory Podcast

Horace Grant is an NBA Legend: 4x NBA Champ, 4x All-D, 1x All-Star known for his key roles with the Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers, playing alongside All-Time greats like Jordan, Pippen, Shaq, Penny, Kobe, McGrady, Payton.

Today we learn about Horace Grant's new show "Legends in Session with Horace Grant" releasing next summer, and dive into Horace's early player development, his illustrious career, his all-time great teammates, and two generations of the Grant family making the NBA.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction & Background
01:00 Legends in Session with Horace Grant

02:00 The Grant NBA Family Spans Generations: Early Player Development alongside twin Harvey Grant compared to his paths for Harvey’s sons, Jerami Grant and Jerian Grant

07:45 The Goggles
9:00 Remembering Big Moments in Horace Grant's Career

11:00 What are some similarities and differences between the personalities, skills, and work ethics of Horace Grant’s legendary NBA teammates like Jordan, Kobe, Shaq, Penny, Pippen, T-Mac, Payton
12:45 Most Dominant Player Horace Played with: Jordan or Shaq?

16:00 How Horace Grant’s complementary skillset of defense, rebounding, play finishing, and a floor-spacing midrange jumper translated to two-way winning impact in every situation

19:00 Which great team was most fun to be a part of in the locker room, on the road?
22:00 All-Time Hypotheticals: Who wins 3-v-3 between all of Horaces big 3s? Horace + Jordan/Pippen, Penny/Shaq, Shaq/Kobe ?
23:00 Highlighting the first guests who will appear on Legends in Sessions with Horace Grant

24:00 Shaq & Penny Stories 

Ep. 101 Learning Basketballl with Tiffany Meeks @TiffanyMeeks23Tiffany Meeks is an NBA Photographer, storyteller, and host of the Miami Heat Beat and Mixed Bag podcasts.Today we learn about Tiffany’s journey into basketball media, advice to anyone hoping to walk a similar path, the flow and challenges of sports photography, capturing the perfect shot, NBA press conference experiences, recap the Heat - Magic NBA Cup Quarter Final, talk Desmond Bane’s fit in Orlando and break down the State of the Miami Heat – lineups, players, play style, strategy, potential, ceiling

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction & Background

03:00 The Art of Sports Photography

06:00 Capturing the Perfect Shot

09:00 Experience Covering NBA Games

12:00 Insights from asking Coach Spoelstra Press Conference Questions

15:00 Analyzing the Miami Heat's new fast paced, screen less Play Style

18:00 NBA Cup Quarter Final Breakdown: Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic

25:00 State of the Miami Heat – Defense First, still finding offensive identity

30:00 Miami Heat Best Lineup Strategies, Matchup Dynamics, working Tyler Herro back into lineup with Norman Powell, Kel’el Ware’s potential, Bam Adebayo’s defense, if the Heat prospects Jovic, Kasparas, Goldin can find minutes on a winning team

35:00 Miami Heat Defensive Foundations and Playoff Potential, Desmond Bane

41:00 Breaking into Basketball & Sports Media: Insights and Advice46:00 Desmond Bane’s rising stardom and perfect fit in Orlando

Ep. 100 Learning Basketball – Dante Marchitelli @DanteMagic

@SwishTheory

Carving Turkey with Dante Marchitelli – 100th Episode! – Sportscasting Insights, Magic - Heat Rivalry & NBA Cup Preview, Desmond Bane's impact, Anthony Black's leap, and Celebrating Richie Adubato

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction: The 100th Episode with Dante Marchitelli

01:00 The Magic’s Postgame Thanksgiving Tradition: Carving the Turkey

05:00 Calling NBA Games: Insights and Challenges

11:00 Appreciating Greatness in Sports

19:36 Celebrating Richie Adubato's Life & Magic Legacy

24:36 The Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat Sunshine State Rivalry

29:35 Desmond Bane’s impact on and off the court

33:42 Anthony Black, Jase Richardson, Highlighting Key Magic Players