This week on The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the highs and lows shaping the NBA right now — from major injuries impacting contenders to historic performances that continue to redefine greatness.

First , as injuries take center stage around the league. Jalen Suggs suffers a Grade 1 MCL contusion and is out indefinitely, while Jonas Valančiūnas is sidelined with a right calf strain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Combined with Nikola Jokić’s knee injury, the Nuggets’ frontcourt takes a major hit, raising real questions about depth, durability, and timing as the season unfolds. 

Highs:

- The 2025 NBA Christmas Day games delivered 15-year viewership highs, with over 47 million U.S. viewers, reinforcing the NBA’s cultural relevance and dominance in marquee moments. 

- Russell Westbrook moves into 7th all-time in assists, passing Magic Johnson — a milestone that adds another chapter to his Hall of Fame résumé. We also celebrate basketball greatness at the highest level. 

- Giannis Antetokounmpo continues his historic run, recording his 158th career 30/10/5 game, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second all-time and closing in on Oscar Robertson.

- LeBron James adds yet another legendary moment, posting 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, becoming the oldest player ever to score 30+ and surpassing Kareem’s mark for the most points by a 41-year-old. LeBron and Kareem now stand alone as the only players to score 25+ at age 41 — doing it at the exact same age, 41 years and 3 days.

Lows:

- We discuss Draymond Green’s ejection following a controversial non–three-second call and what it says about composure, officiating, and reputation

- Plus, Jaylen Brown’s frustration after missing out on Eastern Conference Player of the Month sparks a deeper conversation on player recognition, narrative vs. metrics, and how awards are truly evaluated. Then we shift to the highs, where the league continues to shine on the biggest stages.

- From injuries and controversy to records, ratings, and royalty, this episode captures the full spectrum of the NBA — where the highs are historic and the lows are unavoidable. 

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review The Baseline NBA Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker for real hoops talk, smart analysis, and conversations that go beyond the box score.

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The new year brings new priorities across the NBA, and we kick things off by laying out our 2025 NBA New Year’s Resolutions — bold calls on teams and stars at pivotal crossroads, from roster resets and superstar futures to the mindset shifts we want to see from the league’s top talent.

Then, ESPN NBA analyst Kevin Pelton joins the show for an in-depth breakdown of the NBA’s renewed anti-tanking push in the wake of recent gambling investigations. Pelton walks us through the league’s updated injury-reporting rules, the information gaps sportsbooks have exploited, and the long-term strategies the NBA is considering to curb late-season manipulation without punishing legitimate rebuilds.

We also examine how the revamped lottery, transparency measures, and league governance could shape competitive balance moving forward. A timely, thoughtful conversation on NBA integrity, accountability, and the future of team-building — with insight you won’t want to miss.

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🎙️ Former NBA Vet Anthony Marrow Joins The Baseline NBA Podcast 🏀

This week on The Baseline NBA Podcast, we’re bringing in a special guest with real league experience — Anthony Marrow, a 10-year NBA veteran and co-host of the Charlotte On The Scene Podcast. Anthony jumps on the mic to give fans an inside-the-league perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.

We kick things off with our NBA Christmas Day Pick’em, breaking down marquee matchups including Cavs vs Knicks, Spurs vs Thunder, Mavs vs Warriors, Rockets vs Lakers, and Wolves vs Nuggets — predictions, storylines, and what really matters when the spotlight is brightest. 

Then we dive into NBA Trade Season, where Anthony shares what it’s actually like to be in trade rumors, how players handle uncertainty, and his thoughts on Giannis and other potential star movers. Plus, we debate which teams need to make a move now — including the Cavaliers, Nets, Warriors, and Clippers.

To close the show, we discuss the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 candidates, reacting to notable new nominees like Candace Parker, Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford, Elena Delle Donne, Mike D’Antoni, and the 1996 USA Basketball Women’s National Team, along with returning candidates Marv Albert, Doc Rivers, and Amar’e Stoudemire. If you’re looking for real hoops talk, player insight, and unfiltered NBA conversations, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

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This week, we preview the Emirates NBA Cup matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, breaking down key matchups, X-factors, and what’s at stake as both teams look to make a statement.

Then we nerd out on “Did You Know?” NBA stats, highlighting some of the most uncanny, unexpected, and eye-opening numbers from around the league this season. 

From surprising efficiency to bizarre trends, it’s a fun mix of hoops analysis and basketball trivia you didn’t know you needed.

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The Baseline is in full effect, breaking down two of the league’s marquee franchises and their surprising starts: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Cal Lee and Warren Shaw open the show by talking about how the NBA’s new media landscape feels more like podcasting than traditional TV – then lock in on the hoop. From there, they unpack why the Lakers sit near the top of the West, how Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are closing games at an elite rate, and whether their shaky defense and slim net rating can hold up over an 82-game grind

In the East, the crew shines a light on Boston’s run without Jayson Tatum. We talk Jaylen Brown’s scoring explosion, Joe Mazzulla’s trust in his role players, Boston’s three-heavy offense, and what kind of frontcourt help could unlock the next level if the Celtics decide to be aggressive at the deadline.


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In this week’s episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we welcome Paul Landono, Associate Producer of Drink Champs Sports, to break down the Miami Heat’s surprising early-season success.

We dive into what’s driving Miami’s hot start, whether their formula is sustainable, and how the team continues to evolve behind the pillars of Heat Culture. Landono gives his insight on Bam Adebayo’s two-way leap, Tyler Herro’s expanded role, and Jimmy Butler’s ability to set the tone without overextending early.

We also ask the big question: Is this finally the year Erik Spoelstra gets real Coach of the Year consideration? From Miami’s revamped offense to their emerging depth pieces, we explore what’s real, what’s noise, and how the Heat stack up in a loaded Eastern Conference. Tap in for sharp analysis, insider nuggets, and a smart look into Miami’s potential path forward.

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The NBA never sleeps — and this week on The Baseline, we’re diving into everything from on-court tension to early-season truth serum. Cal, Warren, and special guest Jabari Davis break down the escalating verbal battle between Ja Morant and Klay Thompson, what it really says about respect, reputation, and the culture within today’s NBA, and why this moment hits deeper than typical trash talk.

Then we bring back one of our most popular segments: Talk Ish or Abandon Ship, where we revisit our preseason predictions and decide which takes we’re standing on… and which ones we’re ready to jump off: 

🏀 Milwaukee Bucks – Giannis’ health, roster flaws, and the team's ceiling 
🏀 Phoenix Suns – real contender energy or smoke and mirrors?
🏀 Toronto Raptors – early chemistry, new identity, and unexpected growth
🏀 Orlando Magic – contender track or playing with fire?
🏀 NBA Rookie of the Year race – who’s separating and who’s slipping
🏀 Which big-name players could be traded next – from LaMelo Ball and Ja Morant to Domantas Sabonis, Kawhi Leonard, and more

This episode is packed with perspective, humor, accountability, and that signature Baseline blend of basketball IQ and real-talk analysis.

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In this week’s episode, we dive into the Western Conference’s most troubled teams — four franchises that are far off the pace in the 2025–26 NBA season: New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, LA Clippers, and Dallas Mavericks.

New Orleans Pelicans  has stumbled out of the gate with a 2–10 start, the worst record in the West so far. Their offense ranks near the bottom of the league at just 108.8 points per game, while their defense is hemorrhaging points — allowing 121.6 per game, giving them a league-worst net rating. 

Sacramento Kings is also in free-fall with a 3–10 record. Their offensive rating is weak, their defensive rating even worse, and they’re leaking points at a clip that’s pushing them toward one of the worst starts in franchise history. Early-season projections have them on pace for a historically bad season.

LA Clippers has had a rough beginning too, with only 4 wins and 10 losses so far. Their roster isn’t gelling, and despite individual talent, they’re failing to find consistency on both ends.

Dallas Mavericks is matching the Kings with a 3–10 mark, plagued by inefficiency, defensive lapses, and a lack of cohesion. They’ve struggled to close out games and are having trouble defending their paint and executing late. 

So what’s next? We ask the big question — can any of these teams right the ship? Do we believe there’s enough talent, structure, or hope for improvement — or are they stuck in a long-term slump? Tune in to hear our predictions, break down possible turning points, and find out which team, if any, could emerge from this Western Conference malaise.

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Join us for a special edition of FaceTime with The Baseline featuring best-selling author and cultural commentator Shea Serrano. Hosted by co-host Warren Shaw, this episode dives into Serrano’s latest book, Expensive Basketball, a captivating exploration of basketball’s unquantifiable magic beyond the box-score. Shea opens up about his journey — from middle-school science teacher to four-time New York Times bestseller author (including hits like Basketball (and Other Things). 

He shares how Expensive Basketball reframes iconic players, moments and games — from the final 196 seconds of Kobe Bryant’s career to the fearless artistry of Tim Duncan and the motion poetry of Sue Bird — through the lens of emotion, memory and what a truly great hoop moment feels like.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Serrano talks about writing with humor and heart, the evolving culture of basketball storytelling, and how Expensive Basketball pushes back against the era of numbers-only analysis in sports. Whether you’re a die-hard NBA fan or simply love stories that make you feel the game, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in as we go beyond stats, dig into storytelling, and celebrate why basketball — at its most “expensive” — is still poetry in motion.

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In this week’s episode of The Baseline, we hit the court running with News and Notes, as Trae Young goes down with a sprained MCL expected to sideline him for four weeks and Ja Morant headlines a dramatic start to the 2025-26 NBA season.

Then, in our featured segment “Impress Me,” we spotlight the teams and players making noise early — the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, and San Antonio Spurs have each turned heads with strong starts, fueled by rookie impact performances and veteran leadership. We also dive into the resurgence of Jrue Holiday in Portland, where he’s reminding fans why he’s still one of the league’s most reliable two-way guards.

 🎧 Tune in as The Baseline breaks down the storylines that impress us most in the NBA’s opening weeks — from breakout rookies to redemption arcs and everything in between.

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