State of the Court

In this episode of summarize the first week for the 2021-'22 NBA season. Discussing vaccination status of stars such as Kyrie Irving, Andrew Wiggins, and the Celtics. Also discuss Michael Porter Jr.'s comments on vaccination, along with his new extension and Karl-Anthony Towns' honest thoughts at media day.

3:03 - Jayson Tatum talk.

4:08 - Kyrie Irving discussion.

6:52 - Bradley Beal clarifies Media Day comments.

11:42 - Michael Porter Jr. COVID-19 comments.

18:00 - Gersson Rosas and Karl-Anthony Towns

25:00 - Ben Simmons and Sixers discussion.

Outro/Intro song: Malary - 'No One'

Tyler Nelson of the Rostock Seawolves in Germany discusses how he ended up with the team; waiting throughout the pandemic to know what would happen with the G League season; the pre-draft process as a mid-major player; having a father who works for an NBA team and much more.

Nelson is the men's basketball all-time leading scorer at Fairfield University with 2,172 points and has G League experience with the Greensboro Swarm (2018-'20) and Texas Legends (2020-present).

(1:20) Transitioning to a new country.

(4:13) Making the decision to go abroad.

(13:18) Comparing & contrasting the G League vs. Overseas.

(18:32) Reflecting on time at Fairfield.

(20:32) Thoughts on #NOTNCAAPROPERTY

(24:59) High school athletes going to private schools over public.

(36:16) Comparing & contrasting European vs. American basketball.

The National Journal's Kirk Bado discusses covering his first election at this level, along with how he prepared for election week and everything after. Being a young political reporter, Bado has made it an effort to find a way to network throughout the pandemic and gives insight into bettering himself within the industry.

Also, as an NBA and Sixers fan, Bado discusses the state of his Sixers,  trade rumors and much more.

Twitter: @Kirk.Bado

Brendan Donohue has been the Managing Director for the NBA 2K League since the league's first season in 2018. Since then, he's helped the league expand across more NBA teams and internationally. As the league completed its first remote season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Donohue discusses the pros and cons of a remote-season, expectations for season four, and much more.

Songs featured in this episode: "No One" and "Ever" by Malary (Twitter/Instagram: @AirMalary).

AJ Brodeur is a Penn legend, holding multiple school records including games played/started (119). The only games he'd come to miss were the ones canceled by the Ivy League in March when COVID-19 became prevalent in the U.S. In this episode Brodeur explains the atmosphere of the team and fellow Ivy League athletes when the league canceled the tournament and how so much has changed since March. Brodeur also shares his thinking behind going pro, the effects the pandemic has had on his career aspirations, and much more.

2:15 COVID-19 altering his plans.

5:13 His post-grad plans before COVID-19.

9:36 When Ivy League cancelled tournament and realizing how serious COVID-19 is.

14:15 Reflecting on his career.

19:00 How would he summarize career?

23:30 On being part of Penn’s resurgence.

28:23 How he was notified winning Co-Ivy League Player of the Year.

33:00 People’s reception to analytics.

38:30 On decision to go pro and get an agent.

41:35 Benefits of the NEPSAC.

47:43 Searching for college exposure.

52:39 Stigmas of an Ivy League athlete.

The name of the song played in the beginning and end is "No One" by Malary (Twitter/Instagram: @AirMalary).

Miami Heat Two-Way player Gabe Vincent details being stuck in Miami during quarantine and staying in shape in the event his services are needed. Vincent also delves into stigmas athletes face, misconceptions regarding G League players, playing for the Nigerian national team and much more.

1:03, How’s Quarantine? (Hotel hopping)

2:13, How he was notified season postponed.

2:46, Learning the season was cancelled.

3:35, On decision to not go home.

4:53 what led to winning Most Improved Player

7:46, Olympics postponed

12:17, playing against home-state teams

15:00, Misconceptions on G League

21:03, Treatment as an athlete

The song played in the intro and outro is "No One" by Malary. His Twitter: @AirMalary

Kit Ackermann has spent majority of his 20's as Lucky The Leprechaun for the Boston Celtics. Ackermann had to withdraw from the University of Memphis to fulfill his dream. How did his parents react to his decision? How did the opportunity come about?  Ackermann, a Tennessee native, had to overcome stigmas as a teenager to reach his dream, while also departing from typical male sports. Now in his 30's and he's enjoyed the hardships for his happiness.  

3:20, How did he get into the mascoting? 

6:30, Parents reaction to his career choice. 

10:00, Parents reaction to Boston news. 

15:30, Discussing with parents. 

20:45 What’s his legacy in Boston? 

30:00 Is mascoting a full-time job? 

33:00, How he met his wife.

Intro and outdo song played is "No One" by Malary, available on all platforms. Twitter of the artist: @AirMalary

Harlan gives his reflection on the 2009 first-round series between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. Harlan adulates the series and uses it as a barometer for series he's covered since. The two-time National Sportscaster of the Year also elucidates on working for the NBA 2K franchise and what most fans of the franchise aren't privy to what goes into virtual commentating. 

3:40 Where does Bulls-Celtics rank for him?

16:30 NBA 2K conversations begins

17:00 Do players recognize him from 2K?

19:15 On 2K being ingrained in NBA culture

21:51 How do you prepare to record for MyCareer mode?

23:37 On how exactly they record game action.

Song featured at the end is "No One" by Malary. His Twitter is @AirMalary

The NBA's No. 1 pick in 1995 discusses what he's learned from squandering his $61 million career earnings and how he wants to use his mistakes to educate the athletes of today. Smith also delves into what happened with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2000 and clarifies what happened with the Golden State Warriors and much more.

2:30 On being traded.

12:10 on losing his fortune.

15:30 financial advisers betrayal.

16:30 Wanting to participate in rookie transition program.

20:00 T-Wolves situation.

25:40 Clarifying reports Warriors offered $80M.

28:45 On consistently playing on one-year deals.

35:00 on retired players association

Social media for the artist: @AirMalary on Twitter

DISCLAIMER: This episode was recorded in the fall, prior to Clarke's decision. In this podcast you'll learn from Clarke on why Kentucky, what it means to be a 5-star talent from Boston and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play and more. 

2:44 Realizes when he could become a D1 player. 

7:22 On relationship with NBA Players. 

10:30 Why college over overseas. 

11:49 College decision. 

13:00 Discusses what happened with Memphis — Penny Hardaway & Mike Miller.

 14:15 When he realized Kentucky was for him. 

19:20 How’s Coach Cal?