The stage is set for the 2026 NBA Finals, and The Baseline NBA Podcast is bringing together the full 19 Media Group panel—Cal "Game Face" Lee, Warren Shaw, Desmond Powell, Gerald Brown and Rashard Grove—to break down one of the most compelling Finals matchups in recent memory. New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs isn't just a battle for a championship—it's a clash of history, legacy, and opportunity. 

he Knicks are seeking their first NBA title since 1973, ending a 53-year championship drought, while the Spurs return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, when they captured their fifth championship. We analyze the key matchups, X-factors, coaching strategies, star performances, and the biggest questions that will determine who hoists the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Can New York complete its storybook run? Or will San Antonio's next generation add another championship chapter to one of the NBA's most successful franchises? New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs — the NBA Finals are here. Let's break it all down.

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In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we open another edition of The Autopsy Report as we break down the seasons and futures of the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors.

From championship expectations and playoff disappointments to rebuilding timelines and organizational direction, we examine what went wrong, what still works, and what each franchise must address moving forward. Are the Lakers running out of time?

Did the Timberwolves miss their window? Are the Pistons finally building something sustainable? And where exactly do the Raptors go from here?

We break down the coaching, roster construction, star performances, and offseason decisions that could shape the future of all four franchises heading into the next NBA season.

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The road to the NBA Finals is officially set. In this special live edition of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we react to the Cleveland Cavaliers dominant Game 7 win over the Detroit Pistons and discuss the biggest takeaways from one of the most physical semifinal series of the postseason.

Then we preview both NBA Conference Finals matchups as the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare to battle the New York Knicks in the East, while San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder clash in the West. From superstar matchups and coaching adjustments to X-factors and Finals predictions, we break down everything shaping the NBA Playoffs and the race to the championship.











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In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the biggest stories shaping the league, beginning with the Dallas Mavericks making major front office moves by hiring Masai Ujiri as President and Alternate Governor and naming Mike Schmitz General Manager. What does this mean for the Mavericks’ long-term vision and roster direction?

We also discuss Steve Kerr becoming the NBA’s highest-paid coach as the Golden State Warriors reportedly prepare to extend Stephen Curry and aggressively pursue another star this offseason. Then we react to the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, where the Washington Wizards landed the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since selecting John Wall in 2010. We discuss the lottery winners and losers, including the surprising jumps by the Bulls and Grizzlies and how the Clippers quietly came away with a massive win.

Finally, we open up The Autopsy Report on the Philadelphia 76ers, breaking down the coaching concerns, roster flaws, and intangibles that continue to cloud the franchise’s future after another disappointing season.

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In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we open up The Autopsy Report on three teams whose playoff exits raised more questions than answers — the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets. Each entered the postseason with expectations, but all three were unceremoniously bounced in the first round, forcing a hard look at roster construction, star leadership, coaching decisions, and long-term direction.
What went wrong for Boston? Are Denver’s championship windows tightening? And did Houston’s young core hit a ceiling sooner than expected? We break down the key turning points, underperformances, and structural flaws that led to their early exits — and more importantly, what comes next. From potential roster moves and offseason priorities to franchise-defining decisions, this is a full-scale evaluation of three teams at a crossroads.

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This week, we put the spotlight on two Eastern Conference teams that fell short of expectations — the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls.

The Bucks’ season unraveled in the most unexpected ways. A struggling defense, inconsistent guard play, and lack of depth led to a disappointing finish outside the playoff picture. While there were flashes from emerging contributors, the overall roster construction raised serious questions about the team’s direction moving forward.

Meanwhile, the Bulls leaned into a youth movement, with Josh Giddey stepping into a lead playmaking role and rookie Matas Buzelis showing promise as a two-way cornerstone. However, defensive issues and roster instability ultimately defined their season, resulting in another year on the outside looking in.We break down what went wrong, who stepped up, and what both franchises must address as they head into a pivotal offseason.

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In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we dive into another edition of The Autopsy Report, breaking down the current state of the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets.

For Golden State, we examine what’s gone wrong — Is this the final run with Kerr, Draymond and Steph under "The Town" from roster construction and inconsistent production to the challenges of sustaining a championship core in today’s NBA

On the other side, the Charlotte Hornets have shown flashes of promise but continue to search for consistency and identity. We analyze their development, key contributors, and what must change for them to take the next step in the Eastern Conference. 

From coaching decisions and player performance to long-term outlook and roster direction, we break down the critical factors shaping both teams’ futures.

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In this episode, we sit down with documentary filmmaker Sascha Gardner, one of the creative minds behind Netflix’s acclaimed Untold series. Known for uncovering the deeper stories behind some of sports’ most misunderstood moments, Gardner joins us to discuss his latest project, Untold: Jail Blazers.

We dive into the story of the early 2000s Portland Trail Blazers—an immensely talented team whose legacy became overshadowed by controversy and the infamous “Jail Blazers” label. Gardner breaks down the inspiration behind the film, the untold perspectives from players and insiders, and how media narratives helped shape the team’s public image. This conversation goes beyond basketball, exploring themes of identity, perception, and the fine line between reputation and reality.

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The NBA Playoffs are here and The Baseline crew pulled up with a full 2026 Play-In + First Round preview — East and West.Cal Lee, Warren Shaw, and Jabari Davis break down every major matchup with a blend of X’s and O’s, culture talk, and that honest playoff energy:In this episode:

• East Play-In & Seeding
  • Hornets vs Heat: Is Charlotte officially the team nobody wants to see?
  • Why Miami’s “we’ll figure it out in April” energy might finally catch up to them
  • Sixers vs Magic: Maxey, PG and depth vs Orlando’s scoring issues and Paolo/Mosley disconnect
  • Who ultimately survives to grab the 7th and 8th seeds?
• Detroit’s Statement Season
  • Why the Pistons are built for playoff basketball: defense, physicality and rebounding
  • Cade Cunningham’s rise and how Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson set the tone
  • How Detroit matches up with Orlando and why a long series would be a red flag
• West Play-In & Matchups
  • Clippers vs Warriors: Kawhi, Ty Lue, and a deeper roster vs Steph trying to summon one more classic
  • Suns vs Blazers: Devin Booker’s time vs a fearless Portland core led by Deni Avdija and Jrue Holiday
  • Why the “Steph game” and “Booker game” might not be enough in a one-off setting
• Spurs & OKC at the Top
  • How Wembanyama, Stefon Castle and Dylan Harper turned the Spurs into a legit contender
  • OKC’s growth from “cute story” to real problem in the West
• First-Round East Battles
  • Celtics vs Sixers: Boston’s strengths and flaws without having to see a healthy Embiid
  • Knicks vs Hawks: Brunson and KAT vs NAW, Jalen Johnson and a resurgent Atlanta squad
  • Cavs vs Raptors: Why Cleveland’s talent is real but the Harden playoff variable is impossible to ignore

If you love playoff basketball, matchups, adjustments, and talking through the bigger stories behind each team, this episode is packed front to back.

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This week, The Autopsy Report continues as we break down the Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks—three teams at very different stages, but all facing critical organizational questions.We examine roster construction, front office vision, and whether each franchise has a clear identity or is still searching for direction.

From Brooklyn’s reset, to Utah’s asset-driven approach, to Dallas navigating a win-now window, we’re digging into what’s working, what’s not, and what comes next.Is the foundation strong enough to build on—or are bigger changes inevitable?

This is The Autopsy Report.

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