Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine give their way-too-early awards for the NBA season thus far. They debate whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or 
Nikola Jokić should be the NBA MVP and whether the Rookie of the Year award should be awarded to Cooper Flagg or Cedric Coward. Next, they discuss why it’s a unanimous decision to give Victor Wembyanama the Defensive Player of the Year despite his injury and why Ryan Rollins has the strongest case for Most Improved Player of the Year.

Plus, why has there been an increase in star player injuries this year? Tom gives his insight. Lastly, LeBron James made his season debut last night against the Utah Jazz. Will he continue to bring the Lakers to life? All that and more!

1:14 SGA for MVP?
4:10 Jokic for MVP?
9:15  Honorable mention MVP: Giannis
14:48 Rookie of the Year picks
21:02 Wemby for Defensive Player of the Year?
27:35 Ryan Rollins for most improved player?
29:59 Jalen Duran for most improved player?
37:07Jaime Jaquez Jr for 6moy?
44:41 NBA star injury crisis
55:41 LeBron makes his debut

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine react to the Dallas Mavericks firing Nico Harrison just ten months after trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers and ask if drafting Cooper Flagg accelerated Nico’s exit timeline. The pair deep dives into Jason Kidd’s future with the Mavs and his role in Nico’s firing. They debate how Dallas can improve its lackluster offense while Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving have been sidelined, and ask if it might make sense to trade AD away. 

Later, Tom & Dan react to the new NBA All-Star format. Can the new changes really bring life back to the All-Star Game, or will it be more of the same?

(1:28) The Big Number: Nico Harrison's plan that never was
(21:19) The Little Numbers: Mavericks' offensive woes
(27:05) The Little Numbers: Anthony Davis missing games
(30:56) The Little Numbers: Time to trade away AD?
(37:39) The Little Numbers: Mavs 2026 NBA Draft Lottery odds
(42:50) NBA announces new All-Star format

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine react to the Grizzlies’ most recent drama with Ja Morant and ask: is it time to move on from him? Or should Memphis ride out the turbulence?

With Morant’s dunk numbers slumping and his future in Memphis clouded by tension, Tom & Dan evaluate potential trade destinations including the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and more.

(1:27) The Big Number: Ja Morant’s declining dunks

(20:43) The Little Numbers: Morant to Sacramento?

(26:20) The Little Numbers: Should Dallas trade for Morant?

(28:16) Does Ja fit with the Nets?

(32:24) The Little Numbers: Morant to Houston?

(35:13) Could Ja fit with Milwaukee?

(37:57) The Little Numbers: Should Memphis keep Morant?

(42:27) OKC starts season 8-0

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Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine break down what makes Victor Wembanyama’s 4-0 start with the San Antonio Spurs truly historic, as he does something no other NBA player has EVER done before in a four-game stretch. The episode details how Wemby’s on-court presence reshapes defensive strategy, deters shots at the rim and generates a ripple effect for Spurs teammates. Tom and Dan also dissect the numbers behind San Antonio’s surprising 4-0 start and discuss how the team’s revamped tempo and lineup versatility could sustain a playoff push. Plus, a deep dive into the Emirates NBA Cup—format, contenders, group predictions and what fans can expect as the tournament tips off.

(1:03) The Big Number: Wemby is one of a kind
(19:00) The Little Numbers: Spurs opponent winning percentage
(22:39) The Little Numbers: San Antonio starting 5 
(26:45) The Little Numbers: Spurs transition points per play
(30:05) The Little Numbers: Dylan Harper drives to the basket
(36:56) NBA Cup begins Friday

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This week on The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine react to the NBA's opening night. They discuss Alperen Sengun's impressive three-point shooting to open the season. What kind of impact could this have on the Houston Rockets' season, and could Sengun be an MVP candidate? The duo also share their takeaways from the Golden State Warriors' win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Are the Warriors title contenders? What do the Lakers need to do to improve their defense? Plus, does Reed Sheppard fit in Houston's system after struggling in the opener?

Then Tom and Dan share their thoughts on Michael Jordan's sit down with Mike Tirico for the debut of "MJ: Insights to Excellence." What do they expect going forward?

(2:05) The Big Number: Alperen Sengun's 3-point shooting

(24:14) - Little Numbers: Warriors title contenders?

(28:25) - Little Numbers: Lakers defensive struggles

(32:19) - Little Numbers: Rockets unique defensive approach

(36:37) - Little Numbers: Does Reed Sheppard fit in Houston

(44:56) - "MJ: Insights to Excellence" debuts

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This week on The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine make the case for their top five 2025-26 NBA MVP candidates. Can Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio win enough games in the Western Conference this year to propel him into the MVP conversation? Can Jokić earn a fourth league MVP boosted by an improved Nuggets roster? The duo also discusses the MVP arguments for SGA, Giannis & Steph Curry.

Plus, Russell Westbrook signed a deal with the Sacramento Kings and is expected to join the team later this week. But where exactly does Westbrook make sense on this Kings roster?

(1:20) The Big Number: Victor Wembanyama MVP case
(21:40) Little Numbers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MVP case
(24:37) Little Numbers: Nikola Jokić MVP case
(29:13) Little Numbers: Giannis Antetokounmpo MVP case
(32:55) Little Numbers: Steph Curry MVP case
(38:44) Russell Westbrook signs deal with Sacramento Kings

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dive into the stats to determine if the Milwaukee Bucks should trade Giannis Antetokounmpo after he revealed that the trade rumors surrounding him this summer were not only true, but that he has a preferred destination in mind: the New York Knicks. Is now the right time for the Bucks to consider moving Giannis in order to set themselves up for success in a future without him? And if so, how can the Knicks realistically make a move for Giannis when they only have one first round pick to offer?

Plus, the duo reacts to Ja Morant's 'week-to-week' sprained ankle injury and how it will impact the Memphis Grizzlies starting lineup just days away from opening night.

(1:56) The Big Number: Should Bucks trade Giannis?

(18:12) Little Numbers: Wins Above Replacement Bucks lost this offseason

(22:57) Little Numbers: When will Bucks control their own 1st round pick?

(29:24) Little Numbers: Knicks tradable 1st round draft picks

(33:56) Little Numbers: OG Anunoby & Mikal Bridges trade offers

(38:06) Ja Morant week-to-week with ankle sprain

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine react to the biggest stories from NBA Media Days around the league including how little clarity came from Kawhi Leonard and Clippers president Lawrence Frank concerning the salary cap circumvention allegations against them during their press conference. The pair also unpack Giannis Antetokounmpo commenting how he wants to compete for another championship, it just might not be in Milwaukee. Plus, is LeBron James really going to be willing to share the ball more with Luka? And did the Warriors and Kuminga only kick the can down the road with his contract or will he finally find his fit on the Golden State roster?

(1:52) The Big Number: Clippers have no evidence to prove their innocence

(20:20) Little Numbers: Giannis wants 2nd championship

(25:12) Little Numbers: Will LeBron really share the ball more with Luka?

(31:40) Little Numbers: Denver's plus/minus without Jokic

(37:01) Little Numbers: Cleveland's new starting 5

(42:35) Kuminga finally agrees to contract with Warriors

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine break down the Houston Rockets’ outlook after Fred VanVleet's devastating ACL injury and reveal just how big a blow it is to Houston’s contender status. Can Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard fill that void or does losing VanVleet put the brakes on their title chase, even with KD on the team? Plus, Dan shares insights from Knicks Media Day with fresh details on Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns.

(2:35) The Big Number: Fred VanVleet's injury

(15:37) Little Numbers: Amen Thompson Net Rating

(22:08) Little Numbers: Reed Sheppard 3PT shooting

(26:30) Little Numbers: Rockets $1,255,588 under first apron

(32:07) Little Numbers: Rockets future first round picks

(39:11) New York Knicks media day recap

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine break down the latest in the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga restricted free agency standoff. Has Kumingа played his final game for the Warriors? If so, Tom & Dan weigh the pros and cons of the Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, Sacramento Kings, Brooklyn Nets and others as potential fits. Later, the duo reacts to Adam Silver’s shifting public stance on the Kawhi Leonard and LA Clippers salary cap circumvention allegations.

(1:51) The Big Number: Jonathan Kuminga contract stalemate
(19:02) Little Numbers: Chicago Bulls free throw attempt rate
(24:22) Little Numbers: Kuminga points scored rolling after setting a screen
(32:01) Little Numbers: Washington Wizards individual 20-point performances
(37:02) Little Numbers: Brooklyn Nets top-10 picks
(42:51) Adam Silver comments on Kawhi controversy 

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