When did Mark Cuban know Luka Doncic could be a franchise player? The Dallas Mavericks owner sat down with Tom Haberstroh in a hotel lounge at NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago to discuss scouting, drafting and building around the 20-year-old All-Star. Plus Cuban revealed what he learned talking basketball with Barack Obama and Donald Trump, as well as his own political aspirations.

2:22 When Cuban knew Luka could be a franchise player
8:53 Why Cuban follows certain players on social media
11:34 The need to monetize NBA highlights
24:12 Will Mark Cuban run for president?
25:22 Talking basketball with Obama and Trump

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Tom Haberstroh sat down three special guests for a LIVE podcast at the Highline Bar in Downtown Chicago to celebrate NBA All-Star Weekend. Orlando Magic star Aaron Gordon previewed his appearance in the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and reflected on his unforgettable matchup with Zach LaVine in the 2016 competition. Tom Thibodeau relived his glory years coaching the Chicago Bulls and discussed his coaching future. Plus Chicago native Richaun Holmes returned to the Windy City—with his proud mom Dr. Lydecia Holmes—to tell the hometown fans about blossoming as a promising young big for the Sacramento Kings.

4:48 Gordon on the importance of winning the Dunk Contest
11:30 Gordon on his difficulties of participating in the 2017 Dunk Contest
22:49 Thibodeau on the 2011 Bulls who lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to Miami
30:04 Thibodeau on remembering Kobe Bryant
50:30 Holmes on playing alongside De’Aaron Fox & Buddy Hield

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Who made the best moves at the NBA trade deadline? Tom Haberstroh discussed the trade winners and losers with ESPN NBA analyst Amin Elhassan (@darthamin), who spent a decade working in NBA front offices.
2:20 Analyzing the Andrew Wiggins trade to Golden State
12:30 What Amin texted Steve Kerr after the Wiggins trade
32:45 Agent Leon Rose taking over in New York
35:28 Why being in the front office is such a different skillset than being an agent
46:50 Winners and losers from trade deadline

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Why can’t anybody stop Damian Lillard? Neil Olshey, who drafted Lillard less than a month after joining the Portland Trail Blazers, explained why his star point guard is so tough to defend. Plus Olshey, the Blazers’ President of Basketball Operations, revealed what he looks for in a prospect.

11:50 How did you know Damian Lillard would be this good?
15:50 What Neil looks for in a prospect
21:10 The origin of Logo Lillard
25:20 Was Lillard’s game-winner over Paul George a good shot?
31:11 Will the NBA ever adopt a 4-point shot?

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What made Kobe Bryant so special? The Undefeated’s Marc Spears, who covered Bryant for more than two decades, shared his favorite stories about the Black Mamba on and off the court. Then Chris Hein, the creative genius behind The Haberstat who graduated Lower Merion High School with Bryant, recalled when Bryant took Brandy to the prom. Plus Tom Haberstroh dug into The Habershow archives to resurface portions of his conversation with Brian Shaw about winning three NBA titles with Bryant, as well as with Doug Christie about guarding Bryant.

11:55 Marc Spears’ story about Kobe making a young kid’s day
15:18 How Kobe made every postgame visitor feel special
27:07 Why Kobe sold out arenas even on bad teams
34:15 How Gigi and Kobe connected through basketball
49:29 Chris Hein on going to the prom where Kobe took Brandy

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Why did Run TMC end after just two seasons? Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin sat down with Tom Haberstroh at NBC Sports Bay Area headquarters to discuss the highs and lows of playing in Don Nelson’s fast-paced offense.

1:34 What made Run TMC special
7:12 The origin of the Run TMC nickname
12:50 Connection to Run DMC
20:01 The end of TMC
33:10 The best crossover since Tim Hardaway

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What was it like guarding Kobe Bryant? Doug Christie, who was named to the NBA’s all-defensive team four teams, revealed the secrets to stopping Kobe. Christie also gave a blow-by-blow description of his fight with Rick Fox. Christie, who is now the Sacramento Kings analyst for NBC Sports California and host of the Purple Talk podcast with James Ham, also discussed the state of the Kings.

7:17 Fighting Rick Fox
22:40 Guarding Kobe Bryant
25:40 Playing with Jason “White Chocolate” Williams
33:03 Whether kids should play multiple sports growing up
34:20 Losing the 1996 NBA Slam Dunk contest to Brent Barry

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Will this be an active NBA trade deadline, or will teams be “slugs”? Tom Haberstroh discussed with Nate Duncan, NBA salary cap guru and host of the Dunc’d On Basketball podcast. Plus Duncan revealed his list of top-10 prospects in the NBA 23 and under, and his answer might surprise Philadelphia 76ers fans.

1:57 The fallout of John Beilein’s “thugs” (or “slugs”) comment
8:55 Should the Cavs trade Kevin Love?
19:57 The 2020 free agent class
28:40 Revisiting the Russell Westbrook trade
34:58 Top-10 prospects in the NBA 23 and under
45:35 Ben Simmons’ ceiling
57:15 The media members who are the best basketball players

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How will longtime NBA commissioner David Stern be remembered? Tom Haberstroh discussed Stern’s legacy with Yahoo Sports NBA Insider Chris Haynes and CNBC Sports Business reporter Eric Chemi (1:07:15). Plus Haynes, who used to cover the Portland Trail Blazers for NBC Sports Northwest, explained why the Blazers are struggling, possible moves at next month's trade deadline, the LeBron/Anthony Davis combination and more.
6:05 David Stern was a genuine no-nonsense guy (Haynes)
9:30 Tom’s story about being “memed” when asking Stern a question (Haynes)
37:17 Wade vs. Davis in terms of LeBron’s best ever teammate (Haynes)
1:13:05 Stern was a visionary (Chemi)
1:24:14 Stern stood up to the players who did not want Magic Johnson to return to the NBA (Chemi)


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Who is right in the Doc Rivers vs. LeBron James load management debate? Tom Haberstroh discussed with Sam Amick, senior writer for The Athletic. Plus Amick, who recently returned from Milwaukee to interview Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, revealed what he learned about Giannis and the Bucks’ uncertain future.

1:10 Who will be the NBA MVP?
7:50 The big decision Giannis has to make this summer
14:33 The Doc Rivers vs. LeBron James load management debate
29:20 Players most likely to get traded
38:19 Why the Lakers didn’t sign Melo
52:02 Amick’s fun Jason Kidd story

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