Premium Hoops

On today's edition of the Premium Hoops podcast, Tim Cranjis of Basketball Index joins to discuss the Los Angeles Lakers off-season. After winning this season's title, how can the Lakers capitalize and prepare for a title defense?

Lakers Off-season/Review:

Bring the boys back?Is Anthony Davis a 4 or 5? Does it even matter (NO)?More ball-handlersWill Talen Horton-Tucker develop into a rotation player?Danny Green? The value of versatility in the LA frontcourtand much more!

Major thanks to Tim for joining, this was a really fun basketball discussion. If you haven't already, go subscribe to Basketball Index today! And, be sure to listen to the Lakers Exceptionalism podcast as well!

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Credit to BRBeats Podcast Music @BenRauman

On today's edition of the Premium Hoops Podcast, Mark & Nate are joined by Kirk Henderson, site editor of Mavs Moneyball, to discuss the Dallas Mavericks off-season. After the Mavericks put together a stellar season hinged off of Luka Doncic's brilliance, where are they headed?

The Mavs seem ripe to run it back; is this the way to go? Should Dallas try to maneuver a trade and can they? So many of the role players on the team had career years that seem nearly impossible to replicate. While Luka's heliocentric dominance has been fantastic, is it too much for the Mavericks to ask of him? Can Kristaps Porzingis come back and stay healthy? There are so many questions facing Dallas this off-season. Regardless of what happens, expect a fun season from Luka and the Mavs.

Major thanks to Kirk for joining the pod and sharing his insight! This one was a blast and the Mavericks are going to be a really intriguing team next year.

Check out our articles at https://premiumhoops.org and follow us on Twitter @PremiumHoopsNBA

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Credit to BRBeats Podcast Music @BenRauman

On today's episode of the Premium Hoops Podcast, Mark & Nate are joined by Jo Mullinax to discuss the future of the Memphis Grizzlies. Joe is the site editor of Grizzly Bear Blues and he does a tremednous job in overseeing and creating fantastic Memphis coverage. Go follow him and all his work!

The Memphis Grizzlies just missed out on the Playoffs in the Bubble, in large part due to Jaren jackson Jr.'s injury. Ja Morant flashed insane ability in his rookie year and took the Grizzlies at the helm, eschewing them out of any thoughts to rebuild. The Grizzlies are reloading. How can Dillon Brooks find a more efficient playstyle? What can Memphis do in the draft to fill out their roster? Will De'Anthony Melton be back after restricted-free agency?

The Memphis Grizzlies have a very tantalizing off-season ahead of them. It'll be intriguing to see how it plays out!

Major thanks to Joe for joining the pod and sharing his insight!

Check out our articles at https://premiumhoops.org and follow us on Twitter @PremiumHoopsNBA

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Credit to BRBeats Podcast Music @BenRauman

On today's edition of the Premium Hoops podcast, Mark & Nate are joined by Richie Randall to discuss the Charlotte Hornets off-season and Devonte' Graham's emergence. Richie covers the Hornets for Buzz Beat, a podcast covering all things Hornets. Be sure to follow it and go listen after you finish this pod!

Discussed on the Podcast:

First, diving into and recapping Charlotte's regular season. While the team finished with a 23-42 record, they showed signs of development and progression towards becoming a better team.

Devonte' Graham threw his hat into the Most Improved Player discussion. Last year, he struggled in the few minutes he did play as a rookie and flashed little ability as a shooter. However, this season he turned into one of the most prolific volume spacers in the league. Off the catch, off the bounce, from 28 feet; Graham was lethal outside the arc. His playmaking has gone greatly undernoticed and was just as important as his range. Richie elaborates on how Graham can continue to evolve over the off-season.

Devonte' was not the only Hornet to shock, as PJ Washington put together an impressive rookie season. He's unlikely to be a star, but PJ shows the ability to be a floor-raising role player over a long career.

Terry Rozier, the lone return on Kemba Walker's sign and trade, had the best season of his career. Many were low on his outlook headed into the year as a lead-guard. However, Devonte' Graham's emergence moved Rozier into an off-ball role at the two that boosted his efficiency and he turned into one of the better catch and shoot players in the NBA. It'll be interesting to see how he factors into the roster moving forward.

Miles Bridges continues to enamor on-court. Bridges is the most physically gifted player on the team, that's not even a question. But, his consistency on both sides of the ball continues to confound. Will Bridges be able to develop his on-ball skills to be a long term three in Charlotte? Or will he and PJ Washington end up sharing time at the four?

Check out our articles at https://premiumhoops.org and follow us on Twitter @PremiumHoopsNBA

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Credit to BRBeats Podcast Music @BenRauman

On today's episode of the Premium Hoops podcast, Matt Brooks joins to discuss the Brooklyn Nets off-season. Matt covers the Nets for NetsDaily & you can find his podcast here.

Discussed on the Pod:

After a season marred by injury and off-court drama, Brooklyn looks to take the East by storm in the coming year. Both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are in their primes and ready to win now; who else will be part of an attempted title run?

Joe Harris is a free agent this fall and unequivocally the best shooter on the team. His spacing and all around play will be a hot commodity for any team trying to bolster their offense. How much will Brooklyn have to pony up to pay Harris and more importantly; will they?

Alongside Harris on the wing, Caris LeVert flashed brilliance in the Bubble. However, his usage and the way he commanded the ball in tandem with his time spent with Kyrie earlier in the season leave questions unanswered. LeVert is a great on-ball player, but can he fit well enough with Durant and Irving off-ball? WIll Sean Marks look to capitalize on his heightened value?

Another storyline that had a wrench thrown into it during the Bubble; what will the team do about Jarrett Allen? Allen really took a step forward in Orlando and showed consistent aggression that he hadn't previously. Prior to the bubble, he'd already shown that he was a better player than DeAndre Jordan. However, it seems unlikely that Allen will be allowed to start over Jordan. With his free agency impending, will Brooklyn look to move Allen, or will they find a way to make it work with both centers on the roster?

Taurean Prince struggled to live up to the deal Brooklyn signed him to. What can he do to improve on both ends, recoup his value, and be a viable contributor on next year's team?

Much more is covered in the pod as Mark, Nate, Scott, and Matt hammer home all important notes on the Nets.

Check out our articles at https://premiumhoops.org and follow us on Twitter @PremiumHoopsNBA

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Credit to BRBeats Podcast Music @BenRauman

On today's episode of the Premium Hoops podcast, Mark is joined by Will Guillory to talk about the New Orleans Pelicans. Will covers the Pelicans for The Athletic.

Discussed on the Pod:

Zion Williamson is perhaps the most hyped prospect since LeBron James. Due to injury, Zion missed much of the season and dealt with inconsistency when he did play. What stood out about his rookie year and the way it was handled?

Then, discussing the coaching search. What led to the end of the Alvin Gentry Pelicans era? Who's in the running to lead New Orleans next season? Assistant coach of the Pelicans, Chris Finch, has interviewed for the Pacers job recently and is in the fold in New Orleans.

The young players on the team stood out for New Orleans; how did their potential show through, and how can they improve upon this year? Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaxson Hayes, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, and Brandon Ingram are the base of the Pelicans organization. Ingram was voted Most Improved Player and made the All-Star game. Lonzo Ball struggled to start the year, but flashed in 2020 as a playmaker with Zion. How can the Pelicans afford to keep this group together moving forward?

Jrue Holiday has been seen in trade packages out of New Orleans for much of this year. Will he be playing in New Orleans next season? Would the Pelicans consider trading him? Can he stick around and be the Kyle Lowry of New Orleans? His veteran presence could really help Zion's development.

Major thanks to Will for joining the pod and sharing his insight! Be sure to follow him and check out his work!

Check out our articles at https://premiumhoops.org and follow us on Twitter @PremiumHoopsNBA

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Credit to BRBeats Podcast Music @BenRauman

On today's edition of the Premium Hoops podcast, a special episode; Aron Baynes Fan Club joins to discuss his origins.

How did he get started with his account?His basketball fandomContact with Aron Baynes himselfHis meteoric riseHow he creates his memes so quicklyHandling the notificationsGetting dunked on by Andre Drummond

For the second half of the episode, Premium Hoops writer, Scott Levine, joins Mark and Nate. They discuss the news breaks of the day.

Daryl Morey steps down in HoustonMorrey's legacy in HoustonPointing fingers at TilmanWhat's next for Morey? Will Daryl be in the league in some capacity next season?Can the Rockets go anywhere other than down?Ty Lue hired by the ClippersDave Joerger to the Sixers as an assistantChauncey Billups somewhere in between?Mike D'Antoni where?

As always, enjoy the pod! Also, major thanks to Aron Baynes Fan Club for joining the pod, it was awesome to demystify some of the mystique behind him.

Check out our articles at https://premiumhoops.org and follow us on Twitter @PremiumHoopsNBA

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Credit to BRBeats Podcast Music @BenRauman

On today's episode of the Premium Hoops podcast, Andrew Schlecht joins to dish on the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Paul, SGA, Darius Bazley, and all things OKC. Andrew hosts Down To Dunk, part of The Athletic podcast network. He also is a part of The OKC Dream Team and produces a number of The Athletic's pods.

Discussed on the Pod:

As the off-season is now in full swing, Mark and Andrew dive into the decisions and factors influencing OKC's off-season.

What will Sam presti do with Chris Paul? CP3 showed his worth as a Top 15 player in the season and playoffs; what kind of return will he get?Will the Thunder look to re-sign Danilo Gallinari? Is there potential for a sign and trade? Are the Miami Heat still a possible trade suitor for Galo?Dennis Schroder played the best basketball of his career. However, it doesn't seem likely that he's part of OKC's future. What's next for Schroder's basketball career and is he long for the Thunder?What will Oklahoma City look to do in the draft this fall? Can Sam Presti shed some of the narratives surrounding his prior picks? Will OKC move up in the draft?

Mark and Andrew also spend a good deal of time talking about the expectatiosn of this past season. This Thunder team burst onto the scene after a very poor start to the season.

Comparing this Oklahoma City team to the 14-15 Atlanta Hawks.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's offensive explosion; how can SGA continue to grow as a player and what is his hypothetical ceiling?Would it be worth keeping Chris Paul as a mentor for Shai?Darius Bazley!!! Lu Dort Game 7 shooting!!!Lu Dort not Game 7 shooting Y I K E S

Mark and Andrew discuss all things OKC Thunder and unearth a wealth of basketball stories and knowledge!

Enjoy the pod and major thanks to Andrew for joining!

Check out our articles at https://premiumhoops.org and follow us on Twitter @PremiumHoopsNBA

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Credit to BRBeats Podcast Music @BenRauman

On today's episode of the Premium Hoops Podcast, Mark is joined by James Edwards III of The Athletic. James is a beat reporter for the Detroit Pistons and simply one of the best writers and team covers in the league with an exceptional basketball mind. James joins to continue the Premium Hoops Offseason series in discussing the future of the Detroit Pistons.

Discussed on the Pod:

To start off the pod, Mark and James talk about the most intriguing storylines/developments in Detroit not including Christian Wood. What stood out most about this team and roster?

What came out of the Pistons in-house bubble? Who separated themselves?

How can Blake Griffin impact this team moving forward? What might he look like returning from injury?

Who should the Pistons draft and will the Pistons make any moves prior to the draft?

Discussing what players will be part of the next great Pistons team. Will any of the young players on the roster (or about to be) be in that rotation?

What are the expectations of the offseason and next season?

Will the Pistons re-sign Christian Wood? How much will his contract be for? Is there a walkaway value and how likely are the Pistons to refuse to rebuild? There have been links to Fred VanVleet's free agency; how could adding Fred impact the Pistons and their trajectory? They have a ton of cap flexibility this fall and can go in numerous directions. It'll be interesting to see which path Troy Weaver embarks upon.

Lastly, summing up the Andre Drummond Pistons era. What went wrong? Could things have gone differently if Blake Griffin wasn't traded for?

Enjoy the pod and major thanks to James for joining!

Check out our articles at https://premiumhoops.org and follow us on Twitter @PremiumHoopsNBA

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Credit to BRBeats Podcast Music @BenRauman

On today's episode of the Premium Hoops Podcast, Mark is joined by Derek Bodner to discuss the Philadelphia 76ers. Derek covers the Sixers for The Athletic and does fantastic writing over there; check it out. Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and now Doc Rivers; what's next for the 76ers?

On the Pod:

The 76ers were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics. After a disappointing season filled with ups and downs, what's next for Philadelphia? While they have a rough cap sheet, they have moves to make in the off-season.

First, diving into Joel Embiid's season. Embiid is inarguably the best player for the Sixers, yet also the most inconsistent. Derek shares his thoughts on Embiid's ability, his work ethic, and the accountability of the organization.

Next, discussing the Simmons & Embiid pairing. Derek and Mark talk about the resounding trade ideas thrown that separate the two stars. Does it make sense to split them up?

Does Ben Simmons' unwillingness to shoot hinder the team his fit with Joel? Is it just a microcosm of Philadelphia's roster building ineptitude?

Then, breaking down the 76ers trade assets, free agents, and ability to make moves in the off-season. How did Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks fit? Is it likely that either will return next season? How important is re-signing Furkan Korkmaz and should he be a priority?

Lastly, can the Sixers trade either Al Horford or Tobias Harris? The 76ers have 4 players owed over $100m combined and they can't all share the court. A move has to come from somehwere to open up the roster and the floor.

Can the 76ers maximize Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons and improve the roster this off-season?

Enjoy the pod and major thanks to Derek for joining!

Check out our articles at https://premiumhoops.org and follow us on Twitter @PremiumHoopsNBA

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Credit to BRBeats Podcast Music @BenRauman