Welcome to Episode 5 of "Hot Hand Minis" — a shorter-form podcast where XJ and Geoff dissect hot topics and debates in the basketball world. In this episode, the duo identifies the league's next superstars, with a deep dive into why Tyrese Maxey and LaMelo Ball are poised to take the NBA by storm.

Geoff highlights Maxey's evolving role with the 76ers, the improved supporting cast surrounding him, and how he excelled under the weight of increased responsibility last season. Could we be seeing Joel Embiid taking a step back to let Maxey shine? Geoff thinks so.

XJ makes the case for LaMelo Ball, focusing on his elite passing vision, elite shooting potential, and a dominant 10-game stretch last year that could be a sign of things to come. With statistical indicators backing up his claims, XJ believes LaMelo is on the verge of starting an ascent into the territory of the NBA elite.

Join Geoff and XJ for this data-driven look at two emerging stars, packed with compelling analysis, hard evidence, and exciting projections for the future. If you love deep dives into the NBA's next big names, this is the episode for you!