On the fifty-third episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ dive into how the Knicks have held strong without Jalen Brunson — thanks to breakout play from OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.

While the offense hasn’t been as explosive, the Knicks have remained competitive with improved ball movement and strong play from their wings. OG and Mikal have taken on bigger roles and shown why they might be the key to unlocking this team’s playoff ceiling. With Brunson set to return soon, the big question is whether the Knicks can keep this balance — and use it to make a real run.

In this episode:

🔹 Knicks stats pre- and post-Brunson injury

🔹 How OG Anunoby became a downhill threat

🔹 Mikal Bridges' foul-drawing surge and offensive growth

🔹 Brunson’s return timeline and All-NBA implications

🔹 Who should be in the playoff rotation (Delon Wright? Kolek? McBride?)

🔹 What it’ll take to keep OG and Mikal in rhythm with Brunson back

Drop a comment and let us know — will this version of the Knicks keep growing when Brunson returns? 🔥🗽

Subscribe for more Knicks content, deep dives, and the most unique basketball analysis you won’t find anywhere else! Don’t forget to like, comment, and share—we respond to every comment!

On the fifty-second episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ break down why the Los Angeles Clippers' loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder might actually be the biggest warning shot of the NBA season.Despite the final score, the Clippers looked every bit like a team no one wants to face in the playoffs — and the stats back it up. Kawhi Leonard is quietly rounding into elite form, James Harden is controlling games with surgical precision, and Ivica Zubac is playing the best two-way basketball of his career. This is not a typical 7th or 8th seed.Fans of the top teams in the Western Conference — you need to pay attention. If this team gets healthy, they could ruin someone’s title hopes in Round 1.In this episode, we cover:🔹 How Kawhi Leonard’s midrange dominance and elite finishing still make him unguardable🔹 The +14.5 net rating of the Clippers’ core 4-man lineup — and why it matters🔹 Ivica Zubac’s insane rim protection stats and underrated offensive polish🔹 Why Norman Powell’s spacing might be the key to unlocking this offense🔹 What the Thunder - Clippers game reveals about the Clippers chances to advance in the WestThis might be the NBA’s most slept-on contender, and we’re diving deep — with film, analytics, and bold playoff predictions.💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Are the Clippers a legit threat? Who should fear them most in Round 1?Subscribe for more NBA content, deep dives, and the most unique basketball analysis you won’t find anywhere else! Don’t forget to like, comment, and share—we respond to every comment!

In the fiftieth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ break down Mikal Bridges' breakout performance without Jalen Brunson—and what it means for the Knicks going forward. With Brunson sidelined, Bridges has stepped up in a major way, showing flashes of the secondary offensive star many Knicks fans hoped he could be.

Bridges' recent stats tell the story:

- Last 3 games without Brunson: 23.3 PPG | 62.8% FG | 5.7 APG | 4.7 FTAs

- Full season before that: 17.5 PPG | 49.5% FG | 3.5 APG | 1.2 FTAs

Is this more aggressive Bridges a real shift in his role, or just a short-term adjustment without Brunson? Will the Knicks keep up their ball-movement / player-movement-heavy style when Brunson returns?

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

🔹 Why Mikal Bridges is playing his best basketball without Brunson

🔹 How the Knicks' offensive flow has changed in his absence

🔹 Deuce McBride’s off ball impact AND impact off-the-ball (and how these are different)

🔹 Karl-Anthony Towns' evolving role and why the Knicks need to maximize his impact

🔹 Tom Thibodeau’s minutes philosophy—reacting to the Thibs and Bridges quotes

🔹 The key stat that proves the Knicks are different without Brunson

Bridges looks like a different player and the Knicks look like a different team—but are the things they've done well without their superstar sustainable when Brunson comes back?

Subscribe for more Knicks content, deep dives, and the most unique basketball analysis you won’t find anywhere else! Don’t forget to like, comment, and share—we respond to every comment!

On the second part of the forty-ninth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ break down how Luka Doncic and LeBron James have already unlocked their chemistry—and why the rest of the NBA should be worried.The Lakers have won 7 in a row and 17 of their last 20 games, surging up the Western Conference standings. Their defense has been the best in the NBA since the All-Star break, despite trading away one of the best defenders in the NBA. So how is JJ Redick making this work? And what does this mean for the Lakers’ playoff chances?Meanwhile, LeBron James has quietly become one of the league’s best catch-and-shoot three-point shooters—a development that makes him and Luka even more dangerous together. We discuss why this could be the key that is transforming the Lakers into true contenders.Topics Covered:🔶 How Luka & LeBron have figured out their fit in the offense🔶 Why the Lakers’ defense is so good, even after the trade🔶 The shocking stat proving LeBron is an elite shooter now🔶 Jaxon Hayes’ unexpected defensive impact🔶 How JJ Redick’s coaching changes are maximizing this roster🔥 The Lakers are peaking at the perfect time—but will it last? Drop a comment and let us know: Are Luka & LeBron the NBA’s best duo? Can the Lakers win the West? We respond to every single comment, whether we agree or disagree!

In the forty-ninth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ break down why the New York Knicks’ offense has stalled after the All-Star break, how their three-point shooting and shot selection have changed, and whether Tom Thibodeau can fix these issues before the playoffs start next month.

Since the All-Star break, the Knicks have been grinding out close games, but the numbers paint a concerning picture:

✦ Offensive rating has dropped from 2nd to 25th in the NBA.

✦ Shot selection has shifted to inefficient long midrange jumpers instead of rim attempts.

✦ Three-point shooting has regressed from 38.3% to 33.8%.

✦ Mitchell Robinson’s return and how it affects Karl-Anthony Towns, spacing, and the Knicks' offense.

Topics Covered:

🔹 Why the Knicks’ offense feels “stuck” right now

🔹 The hidden impact of shot selection & lineup changes

🔹 How Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns can get better looks

🔹 The (new) case for Deuce McBride in the starting lineup

🔹 What Thibs must adjust to unlock the Knicks’ full potential

The Knicks’ playoff push depends on fixing these issues—FAST. What do you think? Drop a comment and let us know: How can the Knicks unlock their offense?

Subscribe for more Knicks content, deep dives, and the most unique basketball analysis you won’t find anywhere else! Don’t forget to like, comment, and share—we respond to every comment!

In the forty-eighth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ take a hard look at the biggest question facing the Knicks right now—is Tom Thibodeau the right coach to take this team to the next level?The Knicks are 0-7 against elite teams this season. They dominate weaker opponents but look completely outmatched when facing the league’s best. Is this primarily a talent issue, or is Thibs’ approach putting a cap on the team against opposing high-level coaches?Thibs has undeniably raised the Knicks' floor and built a strong foundation. But at what point does that stop being enough? Can Thibs ever build a true contender, or is his coaching style a major roadblock to a championship ceiling?Meanwhile, Deuce McBride keeps proving he’s a high-impact player, appearing in every one of the Knicks’ six best lineups. Yet his minutes remain low and inconsistent. The Knicks thrive when McBride and OG Anunoby are on the floor together—so why isn’t Thibs fully embracing this?Key Topics:🔹 The Knicks’ 0-7 Record vs. Elite Teams – Why does this team fall apart when facing true contenders?🔹 Thibs’ “Success Trap” – How his coaching style raises the floor but caps the Knicks’ ceiling.🔹 The Deuce McBride Factor – Every metric says he makes the Knicks better. So why doesn’t Thibs play him more?🔹 Josh Hart & Precious Achiuwa’s Lineups – How poor spacing is making life harder for Brunson and Towns.🔹 Joe Mazzulla & the Chess Match of Defense – How top teams are outmaneuvering the Knicks with smart positioning.🔹 What’s Next for the Knicks? – Is Thibs willing to adapt, or is a coaching change the only way forward?At some point, playing hard and competing isn’t enough—the Knicks need to beat elite teams if they ever want to be a real contender.Should the Knicks stick with Thibs, or is it time for a coaching change? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

In the forty-seventh episode of the Hot Hand Theory podcast, Geoff and XJ are joined by Bleacher Report’s Molly Morrison to break down the biggest NBA storylines of the 2024 season! From blockbuster NBA trades to unexpected NBA drama, Molly helps us rank everything in our official NBA Storyline Tier List.

Which NBA narratives actually matter? Which ones are overblown? And which ones could define the future of the league? With Molly Morrison’s unique perspective and Hot Hand Theory’s data-driven analysis, we separate fact from hype.

Of course, we had to talk about the New York Knicks—how does Tom Thibodeau’s rotation and heavy minutes stack up against the league’s biggest stories?

Key Topics:

🔹 Ranking the NBA’s Biggest Storylines – The most important NBA news & narratives, tiered.

🔹 Luka Doncic Traded to the Lakers?! – The blockbuster NBA trade rumor that shocked the league.

🔹 Knicks Rotation Controversy – Is Thibodeau overplaying Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby?

🔹 The NBA’s Next Superstars – With LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant aging, who takes over?

🔹 OKC Thunder’s Dominant Season – Are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren leading a title contender?

This NBA podcast is a must-watch for NBA fans featuring Molly Morrison whose new show is now available on Bleacher Report’s Tik Tok and her personal Instagram (links below).

In the second part of the forty-sixth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ dive deep into Nikola Jokic's historic offensive season and what it means for the GOAT debate. Could he one day challenge LeBron and Jordan for the title of the greatest? The numbers say he’s on pace to be closer than you think.Jokic is on track to have the most dominant offensive prime in NBA history and yet no one seems to be talking about it. We’re breaking it all down, from his absurd 45% three-point shooting on career-high volume to his career-high assist percentage to go along with his career-low turnover percentage to his record-shattering LEBRON, EPM, and BPM metrics. But it’s not just Jokić—the Denver Nuggets are rolling right now.Key Topics:🔸 Record-Breaking Metrics – Jokic ranks top 3 in offensive impact ever, only behind 2016 Steph Curry.🔸 GOAT Debate Shift? – Could Jokić’s pre-30 peak put him in the conversation with Jordan & LeBron?🔸 What’s Next? – If this continues into his 30s, Jokić could be the overall NBA GOAT.🔸 Nuggets’ Dominance – Winners of eight straight games, is Denver now in the top tier of contenders in the West?🔸 Supporting Cast Heating Up – Murray is looking more like himself again and Michael Porter Jr. was playing some of the best basketball of his career before going down. 🔸 Christian Braun’s Emergence – The young wing is actualizing into a critical piece of Denver’s future.No matter who’s on the floor, as long as Jokić is in the game, the Nuggets are dominating, proving that his offensive impact is simply unstoppable.🔥 Drop a comment—Are the Nuggets a top title contender? Is Jokić’s pre-30 peak already among the greatest ever? We respond to every single comment, whether we agree or disagree!

In the forty-sixth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ take a hard look at where the Knicks stand at the All-Star break. With 54 games down and the playoffs on the horizon, it's time to ask the big question—is this team truly built for a deep run, or is a critical change needed?The Knicks have won 9 of their last 11, proving their resilience despite key injuries. But while the record looks strong, underlying concerns remain. OG Anunoby is still out, Deuce McBride just went down, and the team’s most-played lineup has been mediocre. With Mitchell Robinson set to return, Thibs faces a season-defining decision—stick with what’s working, or shake things up before the playoffs?Plus, Geoff responds to recent criticism from another NBA content creator, breaking down his take on the Knicks and why evaluating this team through a championship lens is more important than ever.Key Topics:🔹 The Knicks Keep Winning—But Are They Built for a Playoff Run? – What’s been working despite key injuries, and how Brunson, Bridges, and Towns have elevated their play.🔹 The Knicks’ Starting Lineup Problem – The data says it’s just average—so what needs to change before the playoffs?🔹 Mitchell Robinson’s Return – Will Mitch + Towns work, or will it hurt spacing too much? How could his return reshape the Knicks’ identity?🔹 The Deuce McBride Dilemma – Does McBride NEED to start? The case for inserting him into the lineup to maximize defense and balance rotations.🔹 Geoff Responds to NBA Content Creator Criticism – A heated debate on how the Knicks should be judged—by regular-season wins, or true title potential?🔹 What the Knicks Must Do in the Final 28 Games – Three possible paths for Thibs—and why the Knicks' future will be defined by his choice.With only 28 games left, the Knicks are at a crossroads. Do they ride the wave or make a bold move to chase a title?

Subscribe for more Knicks content, deep dives, and the most unique basketball analysis you won’t find anywhere else! Don’t forget to like, comment, and share—we respond to every comment!

In the forty-fifth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ break down the Knicks’ trade deadline moves and why their quiet approach might actually be a good sign for their title hopes. While some fans expected a big move, the Knicks instead made a subtle but strategic addition—acquiring Delon Wright while moving on from Jericho Sims. But did they do enough?In this episode, Geoff and XJ discuss how the Knicks' front office has brought to life Thibs’ ideal vision for this roster, why Karl-Anthony Towns' role could shift in a bigger way than some expect once Mitchell Robinson returns, and the Knicks' ongoing tension between spacing vs. rebounding. The Knicks have won 7 of their last 8 games, and fans have every reason to celebrate. But is this team truly built to win a championship? XJ and Geoff break down why both perspectives matter—why Knicks fans should be able to soak in every win, and why, at the same time, it’s fair to analyze the roster through the lens of title contention and nothing less.Key Topics:🔹 Why the Knicks’ Quiet Trade Deadline Was a Win – No blockbuster move? No problem. Here’s why Delon Wright was the right addition.🔹 Enjoying the Moment vs. Chasing a Title – Can we fully appreciate this season while demanding a championship-level standard?🔹 Thibs’ Vision for This Roster – Why the Knicks continue to prioritize rebounding and rim protection over spacing, and what that means for their playoff chances.🔹 What Happens When Mitch Returns? – How the Towns-Mitch dynamic could define the Knicks’ identity moving forward.🔹 Are the Knicks Legit Contenders? – Did they do enough at the deadline to compete with Boston and Milwaukee, or is one more move needed?This episode is about more than just X’s and O’s—it’s about what it means to be a Knicks fan. We break down the unique experience of winning in New York, why expectations should be high, and how this team’s ceiling is still being defined.