In the forty-third episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ and Geoff analyze the Knicks’ recent struggles and make a compelling case for why the team—and those covering it—must embrace higher expectations this season. After a 2-5 stretch, the numbers reveal clear areas of concern, and they each dive into a key issue holding the Knicks back while proposing actionable solutions to help the team turn things around.

Key Topics:

• Shooting Struggles: Why the Knicks’ three-point rate is one of their biggest problems—and how a lineup change might be the fix.

• OG Anunoby’s Defensive Issues: Breaking down his uncharacteristic lapses in on-ball defense, overhelping, and positional awareness—and why it’s been a key factor in the Knicks’ recent woes.

• Accountability & Expectations: Debunking the “Year Zero” narrative and why it’s time to demand and expect more from this talented roster.

• Optimistic Outlook: Highlighting the potential of the Knicks’ core and what needs to happen for them to reach their ceiling.

This episode is about balancing constructive criticism and optimism, blending data-driven analysis with an objective perspective on the Knicks’ season so far.

In the second part of the forty-second of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ and Geoff dive deep into the Sacramento Kings’ stunning turnaround after firing head coach Mike Brown and turning to Doug Christie as their interim leader. The Kings have won five straight games, including a double-overtime thriller against Miami, and we’re breaking down exactly how they’ve managed this resurgence—starting with one unexpected hero: Keon Ellis.

Key Topics:

• Keon Ellis’ Breakout – How his defense (97th percentile DLEBRON) and shooting have stabilized the rotation.

• Fox & DeRozan Lineups – Why Sacramento’s success hinges on staggering their stars and playing Ellis alongside them (+14.1 net rating when Ellis shares the court).

• Defensive Overhaul – Sacramento ranks 5th in defense post-Mike Brown and is up to 9th in net rating.

• Playoff Outlook – Can this new lineup sustain success and push the Kings into the upper-middle tier of the Western Conference?

The Kings are officially back, and we’re breaking down what it means for their playoff chances and future lineup strategies.

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The three play a fun and fiery game of Pass or Fail, testing whether trends we’ve seen from the Knicks—and around the NBA—are here to stay or just temporary flashes.

Highlights Include:

• Karl-Anthony Towns for MVP? – Is KAT’s dominance sustainable, or will he come back down to earth? (99th percentile in LEBRON and 67% TS!)

• Thibodeau’s Minutes Management – We talk with Jon about the Knicks’ heavy minutes distribution and debate whether it’s a ticking time bomb or justifiable with the injuries.

• Three-Point Struggles – The Knicks rank last in 3PM and 3P% over the last 8 games. Brunson has been struggling mightily from 3. Is this a fixable blip, or is it a red flag?

• Are the Knicks Real Title Contenders? – With elite metrics all year, do the Knicks have what it takes to make a deep playoff run? What are their chances of winning a title this season?

Jon brings his deep Knicks expertise to the table as we debate these key questions and more—always with good humor and sharp analysis.

Trust us—you won't want to miss this episode. Let us know in the comments if you think Thibs’ minutes strategy passes or fails and if you enjoyed this guest appearance from the one and only Jon Macri—we respond to each and every comment!

In the forty-first episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ kick off the new year with an in-depth breakdown of the New York Knicks—one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Winners of eight straight games, the Knicks are surging, and the duo takes a closer look at what’s driving their success and what it means for the rest of the 2025 season.

Key Topics Covered:

• Knicks’ Micro and Macro Analysis: Assessing recent performances, shot quality, rim pressure, and transition offense.

• Josh Hart’s Career-Best Season: Improved shooting, elite finishing, and expanded playmaking have elevated Hart’s game and reshaped the Knicks' ceiling.

• Jalen Brunson’s Development: Brunson’s evolution as a passer has added a new dimension to his elite scoring, positioning him among the league’s best guards.

• Minutes and Load Management Concerns: Balancing workloads for OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart is crucial to sustaining playoff hopes. XJ also delivers a passionate critique of the NBA’s malinformation campaign about the relationship between workload and injuries, exposing gaps in their research and emphasizing the need for smarter player management.

Looking Ahead to 2025: With elite offensive efficiency and breakout performances, the Knicks are poised as title contenders. But can they stay healthy and maintain momentum?

On the fortieth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ dive into the roller coaster ride that has been the Knicks’ last four games. Despite sitting at 16-10 with an easy schedule ahead, the duo breaks down why the Knicks’ inconsistent play is concerning—and what needs to change for them to unlock their full potential.

XJ and Geoff tackle key topics, including:

• Why the Knicks’ shot quality has been worse than the scoreboard suggests.

• How the Knicks must adjust their strategy to maximize Mikal Bridges—and the offense as a whole—in particular matchups.

• The team's recent rebounding struggles.

• Why the Knicks are only scratching the surface of their potential and how adjustments to their offensive and defensive approach could lead to them being truly dominant.

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In the second part of the thirty-ninth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ and Geoff shine a spotlight on the Memphis Grizzlies, a team flying under the radar as one of the most dangerous in the NBA. With a fast-paced play style, elite transition offense, and a resurgent Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies are quietly positioning themselves as a serious threat in the Western Conference.

XJ and Geoff break down:

• Jaren Jackson Jr.’s breakout season and why his dominance in the short mid-range has transformed the Grizzlies’ offense.

• Why Ja Morant is secretly one of the best passing guards in the entire NBA.

• How Ja Morant and Desmond Bane haven’t hit their stride yet when it comes to shooting and scoring and what it means for Memphis’ ceiling.

• How the Grizzlies’ depth pieces like Santi Aldama and Jake LaRavia are stepping up to fill critical roles.

• Memphis’ Western Conference outlook and why they might be the biggest sleeper team in the league.

Are the Grizzlies poised to shock the NBA this season? Geoff and XJ dive into the stats, trends, and player performances that are making Memphis a team to watch.

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On the thirty-eighth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, we welcome Geoff back from vacation as he joins XJ for an action-packed discussion about the Knicks' season so far and what’s coming next.

We start by breaking down Mikal Bridges’ breakthrough performance against the Pelicans, where he showcased resilience, confidence, and his ability to step up on both ends of the floor. Was this the turning point Knicks fans have been waiting for?

Next, we dig into how the Knicks can better utilize Karl-Anthony Towns’ elite shooting to open up the offense. Can the Knicks better leverage his unique skill set to create more rim attempts and open threes for teammates?

And of course, we preview the Knicks' upcoming matchup against the Orlando Magic, their toughest test yet. With one of the league’s top defenses and a versatile, methodical style of play, this game is a litmus test for the Knicks’ title chances. We cover:

• How the Knicks can handle Orlando’s elite switching defense.

• Whether the Knicks can adapt to the Magic’s slow pace.

• The challenge of stopping Franz Wagner and Orlando’s paint-dominant offense.

Finally, don’t miss part two of the episode, where we dive into the Dallas Mavericks' early-season success and the unexpected sources driving their strong start.

On the thirty-seventh episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ welcomes first-ever guest co-host Gavin Schall of Locked On Knicks! Together, they break down why the Knicks’ recent games signal a seismic shift in their identity—and why the rest of the league should be paying attention.

Using film and advanced metrics, XJ reveals how New York’s faster pace, elite three-point shooting, and modernized offensive approach are unlocking their full potential. Could this version of the Knicks be the most dangerous team we’ve seen in years? Plus, hear their deep dive on OG Anunoby’s breakout, Jalen Brunson’s evolution as a passer, and what Mikal Bridges needs to fix for the Knicks to reach their ceiling.

This is an episode Knicks fans won’t want to miss—because what’s happening in New York right now is special.

Sound off in the comments with your thoughts, and shout out Gavin for his Hot Hand Theory co-hosting debut!

On the second part of the thirty-sixth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ dives into the Magic’s six-game win streak and how they’ve managed it without All-Star Paolo Banchero. The answer? Franz Wagner.

XJ breaks down Franz’s emergence as an early-season MVP candidate and All-NBA-level player, using data to show how he’s elevating the Magic on both ends of the floor. From elite playmaking to defensive dominance, Franz is doing it all—and it’s not just him.

The Magic’s lockdown defense including Jalen Suggs' disruptive play, and the impact of underappreciated newcomers like KCP are shaping Orlando into a legit force in the East. But can they sustain this success, and what happens when Paolo returns?

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On the thirty-sixth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ flies solo for the first time! Using film and data, XJ explains why the Knicks' performance against the Wizards was a breakthrough moment and showcased an approach that could make them a true contender in the East.

From five-out offensive sets to faster pace and shared playmaking, XJ dives into why Knicks fans have plenty to be excited about. But is this sustainable, or should we pump the brakes given their competition? Plus, hear XJ’s take on Brunson’s playmaking evolution, Towns’ jaw-dropping dominance, and Hart’s scorching hot streak—all backed by elite analytics.

Don’t miss XJ’s analysis of how these changes could shape the Knicks' season.