On the twenty-fifth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ dive into the Knicks' recent domination of the Pacers leaving them one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. The duo dives deep into the critical role of spacing in the Knicks' offense, highlighting the biggest strategic adjustment made by Thibs and the coaching staff to propel them to a critical Game 5 victory. The two then discuss the Pacers' short- and long-term future and explain why the Siakam trade may have put a hard cap on their ceiling. Next, they break down Isaiah Hartenstein's unreal performance and explain how his rebounding dominance helped dictate the game. Finally, XJ and Geoff touch on the reports around the Knicks looking to extend Thibs and debate whether he is the right coach to lead the Knicks to a championship.

On the twenty-fourth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ and Geoff are back to uncover some underrated aspects of the Knicks-Pacers playoff matchup! The duo begins by dissecting the key lessons the Knicks should have learned from their hard-fought series against the 76ers, exploring how these insights could influence their approach against the Pacers. They then delve into a surprising revelation about the key driver of the Pacers' offensive effectiveness, discussing potential strategies for the Knicks to counter it. Finally, XJ and Geoff tackle the controversial debate between Brunson and Haliburton, analyzing the distinct strengths of these two elite point guards.

Tune in for unique insights and predictions on this highly anticipated playoff matchup!

On the twenty-third episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ are joined by Knicks Twitter LEGEND, Shaun Geddes! Together, the three give an in-depth recap of the Knicks' incredible 50-win season. They also unpack the standout performance of Jalen Brunson and debate his surprisingly strong candidacy for MVP. Finally, the trio delves into the Knicks' potential first-round playoff matchups, breaking down the strategic nuances of facing either the Miami Heat or the Philadelphia 76ers. Listen in as Shaun, Geoff, and XJ analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the Heat and Sixers and share why they think the Knicks will make a run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Don't miss this must-listen episode!

NOTE: We apologize for XJ's audio in this episode. The audio was mistakenly recorded to the webcam mic. Thank you for bearing with us, we strongly believe the content of this one is worth it!

On the twenty-second episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ and Geoff are joined by none other than Alex Hoops—creator of the AlexHoops YouTube channel and co-host of The Media Pass podcast!

The trio dives headfirst into the NBA awards season, offering their takes on who deserves the league's top honors and why. They discuss who deserves the MVP and why the race might be closer than most think, tackle the big debate between the two candidates for Defensive Player of the Year, and shout out a HUGE sleeper 6th Man of the Year candidate. The three then debate about the criteria for Most Improved Player, causing them to go in different directions with their choices, and try to nail down what makes the Coach of the Year. Finally, they cover their All-NBA teams and discuss who the biggest snub might be.

In the second part of the twenty-first episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ and Geoff take a dive deep into "Clone Theory" - a unique perspective on team building in the NBA. The two provide a detailed explanation of the theory and share several examples that illustrate its relevance. The due then explores the implications of Clone Theory, including the notion that players who complement star players but don't necessarily have "star skills" may be significantly undervalued.

In the twenty-first episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ and Geoff share some major news about the show! After dropping the announcement, the two discuss the Knicks' recent pair of heartbreaking losses while spotlighting performances from Deuce McBride and Jalen Brunson as two of the salvaging bright spots. The episode also takes a closer look at something uniquely special about this year's Knicks team: the amazing value contracts they have up and down the roster. Geoff and XJ then share their thoughts and (mild) concerns about the Knicks' future. With some big decisions coming up for the team, they ponder what's next and how it could shape the near future of the franchise.

In the second part of the twentieth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ and Geoff dive into the heart of the Houston Rockets' recent resurgence, exploring the key factors driving their unexpected success. The duo analyzes how the team's improved spacing has started to unlock Amen Thompson's full potential. The conversation then pivots to Jalen Green's unbelievable recent stretch, with Geoff and XJ debating the sustainability of his high-level play and what it could mean for the Rockets moving forward. Finally, the focus shifts to the broader implications of the Rockets' current trajectory, with a deep dive into what the team's ceiling could be for this season.

In the twentieth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ delve into the question of whether Donte DiVincenzo is in the midst of the greatest shooting season in Knicks history. The pair also dissects the thought process behind Tom Thibodeau's recent lineup choices, revealing why these decisions have been surprisingly effective. The conversation shifts to OG Anunoby's undeniable value and how, despite injury concerns, he may receive a bigger deal in free agency than projected. Finally, the duo evaluates the impact that Julius Randle's return would have on the Knicks' playoff prospects, questioning how significantly his presence could boost the team's ceiling.

In the second part of the nineteenth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ explain why the New Orleans Pelicans are a formidable force capable of challenging any team in the West, including the powerhouse Denver Nuggets. The co-hosts dissect Zion Williamson's impressive resurgence and seeming return to dominance. The dialogue then shifts to an analysis of the Pelicans' young wing duo of Herb Williams and Trey Murphy III, posited as potentially the best in the league, exploring the synergy and potential that set them apart. Rounding out the discussion, XJ and Geoff tackle the topic of the Pelicans' 3-point shooting defense, debating whether their success is mostly luck or a result of subtle influences from their defensive efforts. With their characteristic depth and insightful commentary, the episode offers Hot Hand Theory listeners a nuanced exploration of the Pelicans' ascent and their strategic nuances in the competitive Western Conference landscape.

In the nineteenth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ and Geoff use data and beyond to make a compelling case for Jalen Brunson's standing as a legitimate MVP candidate. The duo unpacks Mitchell Robinson's highly anticipated return from injury, spotlighting the underrated potential uplift his presence could offer to the second unit's offensive effectiveness. The co-hosts also delve into the recent surge of excellence from Deuce McBride and Josh Hart, analyzing how their strengths and weaknesses may help shape the team's trajectory.