Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk how the new minimum game rule & eliminating of positions for All-NBA will impact the league, a difficult stretch for the Rockets, who can hang on to the top of the Western Conference and more!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Andrew Lopez discuss the Pelicans' chances in a crowded West, Zion's improvement, and the unheralded Brandon Ingram. Then Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton review their All-Defense lists, why scoring is down, and why the time is now for the Suns.

Pels are a mystery box and a sleeping giant (6:26)

Zion's improved defense and rebounding (10:57)

Herb Jones has a case for All-Defense and Most Improved (13:28)

The Pelicans' shooting luck defensively (20:13)

Not enough talk about Brandon Ingram (27:08)

How the Pels match up against other Western Conference playoff teams (33:30)

Pelton (40:15)

Middle of the East (57:46)

2nd tier All-Defense guys (1:02:47)

Thunder in line for the top seed in the West (1:09:14)

Wembanyama's All-Defense case (1:15:27)

Scoring is down since the All-Star break (1:30:20)

Temperature check on the Suns (1:39:46)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren joins The Woj Pod to discuss his remarkable rookie season, the lonely road back from a season-ending injury, shaping an imagination for what he can be, the greatness of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, his history with Victor Wembanyama, and much more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Kevin Pelton to talk the hottest team in the NBA, if Zion deserves more attention for his play, the impact injuries in Minnesota could have on the trajectory of the season, the likelihood the Warriors remain in the play-in territory and the mess developing in the Eastern Conference.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Bobby Marks discuss Denver's win over Boston in a potential Finals preview, whether Boston has crunch-time issues, the game's impact on the MVP race, and much more -- the impact of Karl-Anthony Towns injury on Minnesota's playoff chances and big-picture future, Dallas' win over Miami, ankle issues for Steph Curry, Victor Wembanyama, and LeBron James, Ben Simmons being out for the season, and what to make of Wembanyama wanting to win more soon. Then -- a special guest on all things Cavs and tax season. 

Celtics in crunch time (12:57)

You can't double-team Jokic (17:01)

The Porzingis matchup for Jokic (24:53)

Ben Simmons out for the year (34:16)

KAT's injury (38:33)

Keeping an eye on the Mavs (51:08)

Is there another level for the Kings? (55:02)

The Magic are making a charge (1:01:55)

The noise around Wembanyama is just that (1:06:03)

Cavs forward Dean Wade (1:16:31)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Hoop Collective, Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, and Tim MacMahon dive into key NBA highlights. They discuss the Nuggets' win over the Celtics, Jayson Tatum's impact on the Celtics' playoff chances, the team's defense strategy against Nikola Jokic, and how the Nuggets' bench outperformed the Celtics'. The episode also covers Anthony Edwards' critical block against the Pacers, Karl-Anthony Towns' meniscus surgery, the Bulls' surprising season turnaround, and Steph Curry's ankle injury against the Bulls. 

0:00 Welcome to the Hoop Collective

01:22 The Nuggets beat the Celtics in a thrilling match

11:50 Celtics' Playoff Hopes: The Critical Role of Jayson Tatum

17:58 Breaking Down Celtics' Defense Against Nikola Jokic

27:13 How the Nuggets' Reserves Outshone the Celtics'

38:52 Anthony Edwards Game-Saving Block Against Pacers

46:08 Karl-Anthony Towns to Undergo Surgery for Torn Meniscus

53:06 The Bulls' Unexpected Turnaround

55:02 Steph Curry Suffers Right Ankle Injury Against Bulls

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Charlotte Hornets' new Executive VP of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson joins The Woj Pod on the challenge of ending the longest playoff drought in the NBA, taking on the job at 35 years old, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, his history with co-owner Rick Schnall, Kevin Durant, much more. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk an upcoming stretch of challenging games for the top teams in the Eastern Conference including the Cavs, Celtics and Bucks. Plus, can Milwaukee beat Boston in a best of 7 series, should the Thunder be concerned about their lack of size against the Lakers and why the Kings have been a roller coaster at times.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach and Brian Scalabrine break down the red-hot Boston Celtics and who might challenge them in the East. Then ESPN's Chris Herring joins to talk about the top-4 in the West, the Bucks finding their groove, injuries to Russell Westbrook, Donovan Mitchell, and Scottie Barnes, the Raptors deal for Kelly Olynyk, RJ Barrett's play, Anthony Davis, and much more around the league. 

Derrick White has been amazing (12:36)

The Warriors leaving Jaylen Brown open at the 3-point line (22:31)

What are you looking for the rest of the way (28:03)

Herring (39:04)

What are you seeing with the Clippers? (41:57)

OKC is for real (52:50)

More surprising if Twolves win West or lose in 1st round? (1:11:52)

Bucks charging (1:23:53)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Ohm Youngmisuk to talk how the Nuggets & Celtics look to be the clear favorites for the NBA Finals, historic context for Boston’s blowout win, a big win for the Clippers, LeBron joining the 40,000 point club and what current players could reach 30,000.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices