The Step Back Live

Ben Golliver, staff writer for Sports Illustrated, joins Ian Levy on this week's episode of The Step Back Live to discuss the quest for parity (the NBA's top two teams haven't met in the Finals for two decades), the NBA's growing absorption with Instagram and whether the Los Angeles Lakers are really the best option for LeBron James. Spoiler, Ben thinks they're not.

Andy Liu, of Warriors World and The Light Years Podcast, joins Ian Levy on this week's episode of The Step Back Live to break down the Golden State Warriors. Are they better than ever? Can they be? What should scare the Warriors about the Houston Rockets and the rest of the Western Conference? Which first round opponent could help knock the Warriors out of their fog? What happens if the Warriors win another title? Is Steph really better?

Michael Pina, a staff writer for VICE Sports, joins his week's episode of The Step Back Live to break down the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Can the Boston Celtics survive without Marcus Smart? Can they survive with his offense? Can we believe these Toronto Raptors are different until we see it in the playoffs? Are the Cavaliers better, or do they just not hate each other's guys? Who suggers the most by missing the playoffs? Who is the worst matchup for each of the top seeds?

Rohan Nadkarni, NBA writer for Sports Illustrated's The Crossover, joins Ian Levy on this week's episode of The Step Back Live. Rohan and Ian discuss highlights from All-Star Weekend, dunk contest conpsiracies, ideas the NBA can borrow from MTV's The Challenge and more.

ESPN's Kevin Pelton brings his unique and analytics-influenced perspective to the show, discussing the new look Cleveland Cavaliers, their prospects for the present and future, and the rest of the big moves that went down at the NBA Trade Deadline.

Ben Dowsett, deputy editor of Basketball Insiders, joined the show to talk about the state of the Utah Jazz, their recent hot streak and plans for the future. Ben also helped preview the NBA Trade Deadline, including what he expected to happen with several key Jazz targets like Rodney Hood, Derrick Favors and Alec Burks.

The Athletic's Sam Vecenie joins the show to talk about some of this year's top NBA Draft prospects. Sam shares his thoughts on Luka Doncic vs. DeAndre Ayton, scouting the similar talents on the Kentucky Wildcats and what to make of Marvin Bagley.

Chris Herring of FiveThirtyEight.com joins Ian Levy on The Step Back Live to discuss the New York Knicks, the recent Jason Kidd firing and what might go down at the NBA Trade Deadline.

On this week's episode of The Step Back Live, Matt Moore of the The Action Network joins Ian Levy.