One on One Podcast

Return guest, Darren (TW: @IceBurrrgSlim), of The Working Title Podcast joins Derrick and they talk everything Lakers. We touch on what success looks like for this team throughout the rest of this season. Looking ahead, we ask the question "who's really running the team?" How does a franchise with an aging LeBron James deal with protecting their future vs. winning now with LeBron? Also, what does winning with Bron look like in 2022 and beyond. A lot of tough questions are asked such as, who can we trade and what's the realistic return? Russ, AD, Monk THT, Bron, Jeanie, Pelinka, everyone's role in how we go here is discussed (everyone's). This is definitely the full Lakers deep dive Derrick has been hinting at and you might have been waiting for.

The Brooklyn/Philadelphia trade is discussed in the intro due to it being the big move at the trade deadline.

*Note: There's a bit of audio feedback throughout the podcast at certain points. Apologizes for technical/audio issue and I appreciate the support/listens.

Rodney returns as he and Derrick discuss "you know who" being an all-star starter. But, do we both believe it's well deserved, because honestly... you're going to want to listen to this. Also, who are the other snubs and potential reserve snubs? Meanwhile, the top of the East is really competitive but is also wide open for the taking? Derrick and Rodney discuss, if possible, why the Sixers should be looking to make their move now. Plus, new Brad Beal news has surfaced so the time could be right. Lastly, Derrick and Rodney discuss rumors of Donovan Mitchell being unhappy in Utah and believing he could be a bigger star elsewhere.

Jon (TW: @The_Fat_John) joins the show to discuss a wide range of topics as we near the midseason. Derrick and Jon touch on the recent Knicks and Hawks trade; was this a somewhat lopsided deal? Again, does Boston NEED to make a move involving Tatum or Brown and should the Lakers be open to parting ways with THT? Which teams should blow it up and which should be looking to add a piece or two? Early playoff outlook: Klay is back but should Phoenix be the favorites out west? The Bulls are hot now but are they built for the postseason and is Miami a team people are overlooking? We talk NBA awards and which players are closing the gap on the MVP, ROY and 6th man awards? Other topics include: hottest teams in the league right now, Derrick's beef with Chandler Parsons, LeBron vs. Memphis, Zion vs. Ja, the Lakers draft history/young player media hype, Atlanta's "bright future" following last season compared with recent young teams that had "bright futures/early success" and how that usually plays out, and more. This is a longer podcast but a wonderful listen, enjoy! 

Derrick and Rodney get together on the final day of 2021 to discuss all happenings in the league and possible change on the way. Covid is spiking and the two discuss the chances of another bubble or shutdown. The trade deadline is approaching, who's likely to be on the move and what teams need to make a move (Grizzles, Lakers, Pistons, Bulls, etc.). Is Philly just wasting time and an Embiid prime season? The two go deep into the idea of swapping a few names, make sure you listen to that. It's a lot of disappointment in LA right now, what's wrong with the Lakers? And the possibility of a midseason tournament as well as frontrunners for the NBA awards is how the podcast is wrapped up. Great listen to end the year! 

Derrick and Rodney discuss the Dame saga and how Portland can handle this situation. The Pacers are reported to be sellers at the deadline, with both of their big men on the market. Which is more likely to be moved and what are some possible landing spots? The Rockets and Grizzlies are the two hottest teams in the NBA since Thanksgiving. Houston in particular made us eat our words from the last podcast, but how have both teams gotten so hot? We also talk about the Knicks and how their free agent signing look now, cool grey 11's and destination cities.  

Derrick and Rodney are joined by Tramel (TW: @Raggs_No_Riches) to go through each conference team by team, breaking down who we think is for real and who might be faking it. Is Golden State the favorites to come out the west? Can Phoenix actually win a chip? How long will Luke Walton last in SAC and how are the Rockets so bad? In the east, what do really think of the Nets/Knicks? Are the Bulls a true contender and are we out on Miami? Other topics include both LA teams, the middle of the ECF, the ongoing Ben Simmons saga and more.

*We had a few technical issues, please excuse any sound issues. 

Ten games into the season Derrick and Rodney discuss their early season surprises and compare that to their preseason predictions. The east is looking wild with the 76ers at the top, DC being better than expect and teams like Boston and Brooklyn not living up to the hype at the moment. There's a lot of other good surprises discussed. Heading out west, it seems like mostly everyone is underachieving/leaving much to be desired. GSW is flying high but conference champs, Phoenix, is just getting by and there's trouble in LaLa land, just to preview a few. Listen up for all our surprises and what we think will happen next for some of these teams.

Derrick and Rodney are back to discuss the start of the NBA's 75th season. We discuss why it isn't always sunny in Philly, although Embiid might have some sneaky good MVP odds. Of course Kyrie was mentioned and while we don't deep dive into his views we do make solid predictions for when we expect him to return, if at all. Lastly, we get into the heart of the show, picking the playoff and likely play-in teams from each conference. Highlighting surprise teams that might rise or fall.

Derrick and Rodney are back and the NBA season is secretly around the corner (beautiful). Houston and John Wall are working together to find a trade but how likely is that to happen? Other late free agent news is discussed as well. The main focus of the episode is the "lesser" known players/teams you should be watching this season. Young guys that can play their way into/out of trades, players that have to take the next step, teams that looking to make a big swing and/or have to and more. We discuss who we will be following and why. 

This episode opens with Derrick and Rodney recapping the latest bit of free agency/offseason news that happened since the last episode. Then the two discuss the physical nature of postseason basketball compared to the regular season and international basketball. Are there steps the NBA can take to find solutions? The misinterpretation of "small ball" and how it might play into this is also discussed. Lastly, some Gregg Popovich slander in tossed around from number one Spurs fan, Rodney.