Limited Upside

By SB Nation

A NBA podcast by two SB Nation employees that think way too much about basketball.... more

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How many episodes does Limited Upside have?

The podcast currently has 179 episodes available.

Limited Upside episodes:

September 22, 2017 The Thunder are on the brink of something special ... or a break-up
Sam Presti pulled a rabbit out of his hat to bring Paul George to Oklahoma City, but with both he and Russell Westbrook under contract for only one more season, this union could be a short one. How will the Thunder handle it?
Repeat guest Eddie Maisonet of The Sports Fan Journal and newcomer Joshua Broom of SB Nation's Thunder blog Welcome To Loud City join the show. Topics include:The Russell Westbrook show was something last year. Can Russ step back a bit to help the rest of the team thrive with Paul George now here? Does he even need to?Getting George was a no-brainer, and now OKC has a year to sell him on staying. What has to happen for the Westbrook-George pairing to be more than a one-year reunion? Do Thunder fans view this as a real long-term option or a one-year thing? (This was explained with a Major League analogy. Yup).Will Russ and George be invested in this franchise? If so, the roster looks awesome. If not ...How George and Russ can help each other on the court, assuming they are able to mesh personality-wise.Which three players work best with George and Russ? What should the starting lineup be? What should the closing lineup be? Can Billy Donovan properly manage the rotation, or is he in over his head? Let's take a second and marvel some more about what Russ did last year, because we should never take that granted.Is it fair to say that Steven Adams' growth stagnated last year? How do the Thunder get him to take the next step?The three Thunder players you want on your all-time banana boat ... i.e. the three you want on your vacation. This was an excuse for Eddie to shout out Enes Kanter for his eventful summer.So ... is Russ gonna sign that designated player extension, or no?Predictions, which are very hard for this team. Do they have enough to get to the conference Finals? Will that keep George in OKC?
This is the 21st of Limited Upside's 30 team previews leading up to next season. We're bringing together representatives from all 30 SB Nation team sites and other team-specific experts from the SB Nation/Limited Upside community to gauge the temperature of the fanbase heading into the season.
PREVIOUSLY: Grizzlies
NEXT UP: Jazz

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1h 12min
September 20, 2017 Grizzlies fans prepare for an "interestingly horrifying" season
Grit 'N Grind is truly dead in Memphis with the departures of Tony Allen and Zach Randolph. What's the new identity that replaces it? And who are all these dudes around Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, anyway?
Joe Mullinax, site manager for SB Nation's Grizzlies site Grizzly Bear Blues, joins us for a wonderful discussion about a franchise at a crossroads. Among the topics:This is now David Fizdale's team. No more of the old guard to stop him and add tension to the transition. Will it work? Will there be blowback if the team struggles?Why so much of the Grizzlies' success depends on Chandler Parsons ... and why that makes everyone nervous.Mike Conley and Marc Gasol deserve more love, so let's give it to them. Especially Conley. Did y'all realize how good he was last year? Can they duplicate that effort? Is there any chance Gasol gets traded if things go south?Who else will start alongside those two? Who will finish games? Can they get something out of players like Ben McLemore, Tyreke Evans, etc.?If you had to bet your house on a player being Memphis' third-leading scorer this year, who would you put your money on? Mike capes for Wayne Selden, which means he's probably losing his house.We run through our favorite Grit 'N Grind moments and the enduring legacy of that core of players.The all-important banana boat question.Predictions, etc. For once, we're more optimistic than Joe is.This is the 20th of Limited Upside's 30 team previews leading up to next season. We're bringing together representatives from all 30 SB Nation team sites and other team-specific experts from the SB Nation/Limited Upside community to gauge the temperature of the fanbase heading into the season.
PREVIOUSLY: Hawks
NEXT UP: Thunder

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1h 8min
September 15, 2017 The Hawks ripped the rebuilding band-aid off, but the wound still hurts
After fiddling around for two years trying to recapture the magic of their 60-win team, the Hawks finally committed to rebuilding this summer. How did we get here and what happens now?
We were joined by Brad Rowland, the editor of SB Nation Hawks site Peachtree Hoops and the Locked On Hawks podcast, and Harry Lyles Jr., an SB Nation NFL staff writer based in Atlanta, to talk about the following:We walk through the string of transactions that occurred after that 60-win season, from the loss to DeMarre Carroll, to Al Horford leaving, to Dwight Howard, to Kyle Korver departing, to the decision to pull Paul Millsap off the trade market, and more.Why were the Hawks so reluctant to break their team up even when it was in decline? What sort of market factors played into that?Who's in charge now? How did instability in the front office contribute to the Hawks' confusing series of moves that got them here?Winning fans in the city has always been a challenge. What happens now that the team is going to stink?Plenty of talk about this year's team, including some mad Taurean Prince love from all three of us.Dennis Schroder ... yeah, he's a complex figure. What happens to his career now?We answer questions about Kent Bazemore's future, Coach Bud, and what exactly was the issue with Dwight Howard in the locker room?The customary banana boat question.Why should Hawks fans pay attention to this team? Why should national fans pay attention?Predictions, etc.This is the 19th of Limited Upside's 30 team previews leading up to next season. We're bringing together representatives from all 30 SB Nation team sites and other team-specific experts from the SB Nation/Limited Upside community to gauge the temperature of the fanbase heading into the season.
PREVIOUSLY: Bucks
NEXT UP: Grizzlies

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1h 8min
September 13, 2017 The Bucks finally have a superstar. Now comes the hard part
Giannis Antetokounmpo's rise injected new joy and energy into the Bucks and their fanbase. Last year was fun, and on the surface, everything is good. But Giannis' rise also means the stakes have been raised for the next four years of his contract. Is this front office, supplementary core, and coaching staff up for the challenge?
SB Nation soccer editor and Bucks fan Kevin McCauley joins us, along with Brew Hoop managing editor Mitchell Maurer. In our chat:We merge Mitchell's caution with Kevin's exuberance to describe the mood of the fanbase.Plenty of Giannis talk because he is such a joy.How important was it to get Khris Middleton back last year?Jabari Parker was supposed to be the second cornerstone with Giannis. Instead, he's coming off a second torn ACL and is up for an extension without much on his track record. How does he fit in now, and do the Bucks have enough time to wait it out and see if they can ever get Giannis, Jabari, and Middleton healthy at the same time?Our usual devil's bargain: the NBA version of Do/Marry/Kill called "Max/Play/Trade." We do this with Malcolm Brogdon, Thon Maker, and Jabari.Why is Jason Kidd such a divisive coach among fans?The Bucks' front office situation is ... whoa boy. What happened this summer, and why should Bucks fans be concerned?A brief Giannis signature shoe interlude.Kevin's very detailed breakdown for his all-time Bucks banana boat.Predictions, best/worst-case scenarios, and why 50 wins is actually a reasonable expectation.This is the 18th of Limited Upside's 30 team previews leading up to next season. We're bringing together representatives from all 30 SB Nation team sites and other team-specific experts from the SB Nation/Limited Upside community to gauge the temperature of the fanbase heading into the season.
PREVIOUSLY: Blazers
NEXT UP: Hawks

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1h 12min
September 12, 2017 Blazers fans worry their team might be growing stale
Blazers fans didn't have a ton to do this summer, giving them more time to think about the overall state of their franchise. Last year was mostly rough, but a great finish salvaged some hope. What now?
Brian Freeman and Peter Sampson from Blazers Edge join us to discuss the following:Why fans are apprehensive about this year and the future despite having two core guards and plenty of stability.What happened last year before Jusuf Nurkic came aboard? Why were the same mix of players so much less effective?Lillard and McCollum. Dame and C.J. They're the stars of the team, and they like each other, and they're great people. They also have similar games and may not be fully maximized next to each other. Is this a pairing that's built for the long haul? Is there a ceiling for the duo? How do fans feel about having them as the two best players?Lillard is the leader, but where does C.J. rank in that pecking order?Why was Jusuf Nurkic so effective last year? Can it last?What's the level of trust in Terry Stotts and Neil Olshey right now? How badly did the franchise botch the summer of 2016?You've been gifted the magical powers to give one of Al-Farouq Amine, Maurice Harkless, and Evan Turner a consistent, proficient three-point shot on high volume. Who are you bestowing the gift on and why?We spend some time reminiscing about Brandon Roy because he deserves it.Some tough choices were made for the all-time banana boat -- but there was one easy one.Why did the Blazers pick Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan when they already were overloaded with bigs?Predictions, best/worst case scenarios, and much more.PREVIOUSLY: Pacers
NEXT UP: Bucks

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1h 12min
September 07, 2017 Pacers fans know their team is bad. They fear it's also boring
The Pacers no longer have Paul George, and other than Myles Turner, they don't really have much exciting young talent, either. You can see how this setup isn't exactly inspiring their fans.
Our Indiana dynamic duo of SBNation.com assistant NBA editor Whitney Medworth and Indy Cornrows lead writer Caitlin Cooper joins to run through a depressing season preview. Topics include:One last look back at the Paul George trade.Darren Collison? Victor Oladipo? Cory Joseph? Lance? What is with these offseason moves to stay mediocre?Is Myles Turner ready to be the face of the franchise? Have the Pacers put him in a position to actually succeed?What is a good season for Turner? What can Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis do to make fans feel better about the return package for George?Why not just pull the plug and commit fully to a rebuild? Why is Indiana a "never rebuild" market? Does Indiana's past success building through the middle give the front office a false sense of their own abilities?Is Nate McMillan the right coach to shepherd this reconstruction?Happier thoughts! Which of the following Pacers teams is the best: 13-14, 03-04, 97-98, or 94-95?Which player from recent Pacers history not named Miller, O'Neal, or George would be best to add to this Pacers team?The all-important banana boat question.Sad predictions.Plus, some important chili and peanut butter talk. Very important.
This is the 16th of Limited Upside's 30 team previews leading up to next season. We're bringing together representatives from all 30 SB Nation team sites and other team-specific experts from the SB Nation/Limited Upside community to gauge the temperature of the fanbase heading into the season.
PREVIOUSLY: Bulls
NEXT UP: Blazers

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59min
September 06, 2017 The Bulls 'picked a direction.' So did their fans
Oh, Bulls. What a rough summer. What a rough roster. What a rough fanbase. Ricky O'Donnell and Jason Patt from SB Nation, Blog a Bull, and FanRag Sports return for a bleak look at Chicago's fortunes this year. Topics include:The Bulls' biggest problem? They can't evaluate talent.So why'd they trade Jimmy Butler again? What is his legacy in Chicago? Is there any hope for the return package they got? Who's actually gonna play on this team? What will the rotation be?Have we mentioned that the fanbase doesn't have much confidence in the front office? Is there any way they will be fired?Slightly more positive thoughts: how about Lauri Markkanen in Eurobasket!Slightly less positive thoughts: so how good is Zach LaVine anyway?What's going on with Nikola Mirotic's contract situation?Who's this team's best player? Who's jersey should fans buy?Since we all know the Bulls are gunning for next year's draft, who should they pick anyway? Draft expert Ricky runs through the prospects.The all-important banana boat question.Very depressing predictions.This is the 15th of Limited Upside's 30 team previews leading up to next season. We're bringing together representatives from all 30 SB Nation team sites and other team-specific experts from the SB Nation/Limited Upside community to gauge the temperature of the fanbase heading into the season.
PREVIOUSLY: Heat
NEXT UP: Pacers

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1h 1min
August 31, 2017 Will last season carry over? Heat fans sure hope so
The Miami Heat had two seasons in one last year. In Part I, they were terrible and went 11-30. In Part II, they ripped the league apart and went 30-11. The sum of that led to a narrow playoff miss, which leads to a simple question: which Heat team from last year is the real Heat team, especially after a summer where they paid up to bring the band back together.
Kelly Cohen, a political reporter in D.C. who moonlights as a Heat fan, and Surya Fernandez from SB Nation's Heat site Hot Hot Hoops join us for this episode. Among the topics discussed:What happened last year to cause that second-half surge? Can Dion Waiters, James Johnson, and several others actually do that again?Are Heat fans feeling good about whiffing on a top free agent and pivoting to bring the gang back together? Kelly and Surya have mixed feelings on that.How good is Hassan Whiteside, really? Where is he in the center hierarchy?We torment our two guests with a difficult version of Max/Play/Trade with Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson, and Rodney McGruder.Where does Erik Spoelstra rank in the coaching hierarchy?Simple question, complex answer: how do Heat fans feel about LeBron James?Which player's jersey should you buy from this year's team?We get to the customary banana boat question, throwing both off guard.Predictions (even if Kelly hates them), best-case scenarios, and more. This is the 14th of Limited Upside's 30 team previews leading up to next season. We're bringing together representatives from all 30 SB Nation team sites and other team-specific experts from the SB Nation/Limited Upside community to gauge the temperature of the fanbase heading into the season.
PREVIOUSLY: Nuggets
NEXT UP: Bulls

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1h 3min
August 29, 2017 Learn to love Nikola Jokic with Nuggets fans
The Nuggets have one of the league's most fun stars, an up-and-coming roster, and now a marquee free agent that chose them. It's a fun time to jump aboard the bandwagon. (You listening, Denver? Get involved!).
We're joined by Adam Mares of Denver Stiffs and the Locked on Nuggets podcast to preview one of the NBA's League Pass darlings. Among the topics discussed:Why doesn't Denver get excited about the Nuggets?Adam gets to gloat about Nikola Jokic because he was an early adopter.The Kevin Love trade that never happened, plus the addition of Paul Millsap.Rotation questions! Who starts at point guard? Do they have enough wing players? What's the deal with Mason Plumlee? Is this the year Kenneth Faried finally gets traded?Offensively, the Nuggets were awesome. Defensively ... not su much. Will that change this year.We spend more time gushing about Jokic because you can never do that too much.What's the best Nuggets team ever? Why Adam believes a different result in the 2009 West Finals does nothing to change Carmelo Anthony's final days in Denver.What does the franchise need to do to get fans more excited about this team? We go down a long road talking about the past, the present, and the future, with a look at Denver the city sprinkled in.Adam gets caught off guard by our customary banana boat question, which leads us down a long tangent.Predictions, best/worst case scenarios, and much more.This is the 13th of Limited Upside's 30 team previews leading up to next season. We're bringing together representatives from all 30 SB Nation team sites and other team-specific experts from the SB Nation/Limited Upside community to gauge the temperature of the fanbase heading into the season.
PREVIOUSLY: Pistons
NEXT UP: Heat

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1h 10min
August 28, 2017 Pistons fans could use a little cheering up
Last year was supposed to be a big step forward for the Pistons. Instead, it was a major step back, and all the optimism from an encouraging 2015-16 season is gone. That's at least based on the response we got from our three Piston fan guests: SBNation.com deputy editor John Ketchum, SBNation.com social producer Kofie Yeboah, and Detroit Bad Boys editor Lazarus Jackson.
Among the topics discussed:Same players. Same coach. Same mix. What the heck happened last year?Reggie Jackson had an awful year last year. Was it all because of his knee injury? Can he look more like 2015-16 Reggie Jackson this year?Were fans surprised that the Pistons ditched Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to then trade for Avery Bradley? This was the most upbeat part of the podcast, surprisingly enough.Stanley Johnson has to step up this year. How confident are fans that'll happen? (Not very confident)Andre Drummond ... sigh. That's all. To make this discussion worse, we play Max/Play/Trade with Reggie, Dre, and Stanley.An extended conversation about the pros and cons of the Pistons moving into a downtown arena.Bad Boys Pistons or 04 Pistons? Plus, how well would the 04 Pistons fare in the modern era?Some odd banana boat combinations.Bringing this back full circle: this is Year 4 of the Stan Van Gundy era. What are the chances this ends well?Plus, predictions, best/worst-case scenarios, and more sadness. C'mon, y'all.
This is the 12th of Limited Upside's 30 team previews leading up to next season. We're bringing together representatives from all 30 SB Nation team sites and other team-specific experts from the SB Nation/Limited Upside community to gauge the temperature of the fanbase heading into the season.
PREVIOUSLY: Hornets
NEXT UP: Nuggets

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1h 14min

FAQs about Limited Upside:

How many episodes does Limited Upside have?

The podcast currently has 179 episodes available.