B/R senior writer, FS1 analyst, and host of the Bucher & Friends pod, Ric Bucher returns to play another round of "It's way too early but..." involving the Toronto Raptors, LeBron vs Kawhi, the Bucks, Ja Morant, Carmelo Anthony, the disappointing Chicago Bulls, and the James Harden-Russell Westbrook experiment in Houston.

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Former New York Knick and Heisman Trophy winner, Charlie Ward, discusses the end of the multi-sport athlete era, the effect of the NBA on youth basketball and the trends he's seeing at the highschool level, and the coaching influences he took from Jeff Van Gundy, Gregg Popovich, and his own father! Plus, Charlie weighs in on the current state of the New York Knicks, what role the Patrick Ewing trade may be playing on their seasons-long losing status, and why they he thinks the Knicks opted out of pursuing Kevin Durant.

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The Athletic's Michael Lee returns to discuss the proposed changes to the NBA schedule, and why he's very much against it! He also weighs in on the in-play tournament, and reseeding for the Finals. And Michael shares his insight on Jimmy Butler's relationship with the Heat and his former team, the 76ers, and some of the possible reasons behind his departure from Philly. Plus, Michael talks Joel Embiid, and the effect of international players on the league.

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Four-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, and NBA Champion, Shawn Marion, discusses RJ Hampton and LaMelo Ball, and the NBL as a potential stepping stone to the NBA. He also shares his thoughts on Lonzo and LaMelo Ball as unique players, and their similarities to Luka Doncic. Shawn talks about his own career including his 2008 trade to the Miami Heat for Shaq, his run with the Phoenix Suns, and the 2011 Finals and what it took to shut down LeBron James. Plus, he shares his feelings about his own Hall of Fame eligibility.

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It's a jam-packed, practically double episode all about LaMelo Ball! B/R writer Mirin Fader just returned from a two-week stay in Australia where she spoke with LaMelo and his teammates, and watched him practice (and wrote an amazing piece about what she learned). She shares the insights gained about LaMelo the person, and the many misconceptions people have about him. She also speaks to his relationship with both his manager Jermaine Jackson and his father, LaVar. Then B/R draft guru Jonathan Wasserman joins to discuss LaMelo's NBA prospects, predicted draft number, and what's caused him to become a Top 5 pick. Plus, Jonathan weighs in on LiAngelo Ball and whether he was ever NBA material at all.

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B/R contributor and podcast host for The Athletic, Mo Dakhil, partakes in a game of Meaningful or Mirage that involves the Portland Trailblazers being a play-off team, Carmelo Anthony returning to the NBA, the Phoenix Suns great start and their inexperienced roster, Andrew Wiggins from bust to All-Star, Eastern Conference playoff teams, and the Raptors Pascal Siakam as an MVP candidate. Plus, Mo weighs in on LeBron's return to greatness, the 76ers need for a closer (and why that's not Joel Embiid), and the time the Clippers almost traded DeAndre Jordan for Kevin Garnett.

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Dallas Mavericks Defensive and Player Development coach, God Shammgod, talks New York street basketball and culture, today's NBA style of play, his childhood love of the New York Knicks, the art of dribbling versus ball handling, coaching, and his friendship with Kobe Bryant. He also shares the story behind his name, the bet he made with Ben Wallace while sitting the bench for the Wizards, and how Mark Jackson inspired Shamm's ball handling.

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NBA legends turned "All The Smoke" podcast cohosts, Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes, talk up their new Showtime pod, the most misunderstood guys in the NBA (Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and LeBron James), and the best and worst organizations in the league (aka The Knicks). They also weigh in on load management, RJ Barrett, and the negative culture of social media. Plus, they each wear the Commish For A Day hat and offer up the changes they'd make if given the power!

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King of the Corner 3 from the Houston Rockets, P.J. Tucker, discusses the James Harden Russell Westbrook partnership, the Chris Paul trade, the Golden State Warriors, winning Championships, and the importance of the All-Defensive Team. He also speaks to the changing landscape of the NBA, free agency, his two-year reign as Sneaker King, and why fighting just isn't worth it.

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Former Chicago Tribune writer turned NBC Sports Chicago insider, K.C. Johnson, shares his take on the Chicago Bulls season expectations and whether "play-offs" is the best description for their current state. He also weighs in on rookie Coby White, what the Otto Porter Junior off-season signing says about the Bulls free agent future, the leadership struggle in the Bulls locker room during the days of Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler, and why Joakim Noah was his favorite Bulls player to cover. Plus, KC has a great Michael Jordan story from a training camp in 1985, and definite change he would make if he were "Commissioner For A Day."

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