48 Minutes

Who Would You Rather Have? Anthony Edwards or Tyrese Maxey Jalen Brunson or Jaylen Brown SGA or Luka Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 0:57 The 48 Minutes Weekend Preview 0:58 Minnesota Timberwolves/Golden State Warriors on Friday Night 4:48 Philadelphia 76ers/Atlanta Hawks on Sunday 8:31 Who Would You Rather Have? 8:51 Anthony Edwards or Tyrese Maxey 10:24 Jalen Brunson or Jaylen Brown 12:27 SGA or Luka Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 0:57 The Chicago Bulls are struggling after a red hot start 7:37 The Miami Heat are cooling off with a tough stretch ahead 13:18 The Toronto Raptors have hit their first real bump in the season 18:45 The Boston Celtics find themselves atop the Eastern Conference 25:14 Are the Minnesota Timberwolves finding their stride or not? 28:58 Chris Paul waived by the Los Angeles Clippers 33:37 LeBron James historic scoring streak is over! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 .... Holiday Season is upon us and our 48 Minutes crew shares some fun facts about our favorite Holidays: Jrue, Aaron, and Justin. TRT 5:10 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 .... Show open .... Ross introduces the panel and jumps into the weekend preview. 0:47 ... Friday night it's the Lakers visiting the Celtics in Boston.  It's the second half of a "back to back" for the Lakers who play in Toronto on Thursday so fatigue may be a factor for LA. 4:52 ... On Saturday, the Warriors visit the Cavaliers and it features the NBA's two most prolific three point shooters in Steph Curry and Donovan Mitchell.   Both teams could really use a win. 8:19 ... Sunday features the third and final regular season matchup between the Magic and the Knicks.  Orlando took the first two, so the Knicks need to show they can beat this team or else it may haunt them the rest of the season. 12:12 ... It's "Holiday Season" and while Christmas and New Year's Day are on everyone's minds, the 48 Minutes crew thinks Holiday season revolves around the NBA's Holiday Brothers: Jrue, Aaron, and Justin.  We share some fun facts about the first family of the NBA. 17:22 ... Ross wraps things up and says goodbye ... TRT 17:41   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Show open ... Ross introduces the panel and dedicates show #203 to Amare' Stoudemire, who was Rookie of the Year in 2003 for the Phoenix Suns. 1:04 ... The Oklahoma City Thunder are on a historically torrid pace with 20 wins in their first 21 games.  World B has some great numbers on their incredible defense.  They will be without top rebounder Isaiah Hartenstein for a couple of weeks so Chet Holmgren will need to grab some more rebounds.  The crew speculates on how long it will take for them to lose another game. 10:04 .... The Lakers are also very hot and have the third best record in the league.  Luka Doncic is now the main man in LA with aging LeBron James as his wingman, but can LeBron accept a supporting role?  And will his ego cause him to play more games than he should?  He needs to be fresh for the playoffs, but if he decides he HAS to play 65 games for personal reasons that could be an issue. 16:27 ... Austin Reaves has been spectacular to start the season, but when LeBron was not playing, he needed to step up and he did.  But with LeBron back on the floor, Reaves' numbers may suffer but not to the detriment of the team. 19:30 ... The guys each pick a western conference team they're keeping their eyes on.  Bruce picks the Spurs, World B picks the Suns, and Ross chooses the Clippers. 26:44 ... We move to the eastern conference where the Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled recently.  As talented as they are, they really miss Jarrett Allen and if he is out for a long time, the Cavs have a big problem.  Allen is not the only key player that is injured and it really has shown up in their shooting numbers. 32:57 ... The Orlando Magic have been without injured Paolo Banchero for three weeks but have continues to play well and win.  Desmond Bane has really stepped up in Paolo's absence and scored 24 points a game during the month of November.  And no team plays harder.  They still have a chance to get to 50 wins, which they have not done since the 2010-'11 season. 37:42 ... The guys each pick a eastern conference team they're keeping their eyes on.  Bruce picks the Celtics, World B picks the Hawks, and Ross chooses the Pacers 43:56 ... Ross wraps it up and says goodbye. TRT 44:11     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 0:45 The 48 Minutes Weekend Preview 0:50 Dallas Mavericks at the Los Angeles Lakers 5:25 Detroit Pistons visit the Miami Heat 11:32 Toronto Raptors take the stage against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:19 Thoughts on the passing of Rodney Rogers 5:35 Thoughts on the passing of Michael “Ray” Richardson 11:39 15 Things We're Thankful For 12:34 Klay Thompon calling out Ja Morant 14:15 The Detroit Pistons finding success 15:38 Ryan Rollins blossoming in Milwaukee 16:59 Jaylen Brown carrying the load in Boston 18:35 LeBron James is back out on the court healthy 20:12 Colin Gillespie raising eyebrows in Phoenix this season 21:42 Victor Wembanyama 22:44 The Phoenix Suns & Toronto Raptors proving most season projections wrong 24:34 Derik Queen is absolutely ballin 26:18 The Thompson Twins Parents 27:56 The New York Knicks Playoff Run Last Season 30:10 The Sacramento Kings being open to trades! 33:08 AJ Dybantsa 34:56 World B is thankful for the 48 Minutes crew & listeners! 37:06 The NBA trying out a new All-Star Game concept of USA versus The World Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Will Stephen Curry finish in the top 10 in scoring this season? 0:50 ... Will Giannis Antetokounmpo lead the NBA in free throw attempts? 1:48 ... Will the Boston Celtics lead the NBA in three point attempts? 3:29 ... Ross wraps and says goodbye TRT 3:44 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Show open .... Ross Geiger introduces the panel and dedicated show #200 to Doc Rivers, who won coach of the year in 2000. 1:34 ... Friday night it's the Nuggets visiting the Rockets and the Nikola Jokic vs. Alpy Sengun individual matchup will be great to watch. 5:17 ... Saturday night it's the Magic vs Knicks in New York.  Both teams have had injuries but are still playing well. 8:59 ... Sunday it's a rematch between the Trailblazers and Thunder in OKC where the champs will look to avenge their only loss of the season back on November 5th.  Ross said he doesn't care what the point spread is because OKC will cover! 12:21 ... The guys play a game of True or False involving Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Celtics. 15:49 .... Ross wraps and says goodbye TRT 16:04 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Show open ... Ross introduces the panel and dedicates show #199 to Chris Boucher of the Celtics who wears jersey #99. 1:20 ... Nico Harrison is out as Mavericks general manager ... the timing was odd but Harrison was a "dead man walking" after the dismal Luka Doncic/Anthony Davis trade, which has been a disaster for the Mavs.  Dallas would probably like to trade Davis but who will take this talented but fragile big man? 8:04 ... Willie Green is out as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans ... he was the victim of poor front office moves, the inability of Zion Williamson to avoid injuries, and the fact that new GM Joe Dumars didn't hire him. 14:46 ... The Miami Heat are playing good ball despite missing Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, but Bam's skill set is sorely missed and even though it's a deep team, they need these two guys back.  Newly acquired Norman Powell has played really well for Miami and helped keep them afloat. 18:02 ... The LA Clippers are the oldest team in NBA history and injuries are taking a huge toll.  Bradley Beal is gone for the season, Kawhi Leonard is injured once again, and now Derrick Jones Jr will miss six weeks.  The ship is sinking. 23:50 ... Victor Wembanyama will be out 2-3 weeks with a calf strain.  By the time he returns, he will be in double figures for games missed and if he misses more than 17 games, he will not qualify for postseason awards.  The team is well ahead of schedule in its progress, so the team will likely prioritize his health over any individual awards. 28:26 ... Orlando's Paolo Banchero has a left groin strain and while his teammates like Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane have stepped up, Banchero's rugged play defines the Magic's style and if he is out for an extended period, the Magic will be in big trouble. 32:05 ... Teams whose stock prices are up: the Oklahoma City Thunder ... they can't be stopped. 36:34 ... Stock Up: the Atlanta Hawks ... but Trae Young's future in ATL may be in doubt 39:50 ... Stock Up: the Phoenix Suns ... Phoenix is making naysayers like us look very bad 42:33 ... Teams whose stock prices are down: the Indiana Pacers ... injuries have decimated this team 45:47 ... Stock Down: the Milwaukee Bucks ... and now Giannis may miss action, but at least Ross composed a special poem about Kyle Kuzma. 49:33... Stock Down: the Chicago Bulls ... if the season had ended on October 31st, they'd be a legendary team, but November has been unkind to the team. 52:46 ... Stock Down: the Portland Trailblazers ... has the Tiago Splitter honeymoon come to an end? 55:47 ... Ross wraps it up and says goodbye TRT 56:08 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:12 Philadelphia 76ers vs Detroit Pistons on Friday Night 6:09 Los Angeles Lakers at the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday 11:47 Orlando Magic vs Houston Rockets on Sunday 17:33 Ross requests World B's thoughts on Sunday's Nets/Wizards matchup Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 0:34 Ross & World B reflect on the passing of Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens 2:50 The Most Impressive Teams Last Week 3:01 Cleveland Cavaliers 4:51 Detroit Pistons 12:10 The Most Impressive Players Last Week 12:23 Donovan Mitchell 14:02 Jaime Jaquez 17:31 Panic or Relax on These Three Teams 17:52 Los Angeles Clippers 22:28 Orlando Magic 27:11 Dallas Mavericks Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... True or False: the San Antonio Spurs will finish in the top 4 of the western conference this season. 2:58 ... True or False: Nikola Jokic will break Russell Westbrook's single season record of 42 triple doubles. 5:10 ... True or False: Is there a player in the league that will hit more three point shots than Stephen Curry this season? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Ross hello, welcome, and introduces the panel 0:35 ... Episode #196 honors Don "Duck" Ray, a member of the old "Tri Cities Blackhawks" who wore uniform #96 back in the 1949-'50 season. 0:53 ... Friday's matchup between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs is a battle for bragging rights in Texas.  Will Houston's three headed monster at center be able to wear Victor Wembanyama down? 5:11 ... Saturday's matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers will be a good measuring stick for the up and coming Bulls, who have started the season on a hot streak.  Can the banged up Cavs move closer to the Bulls in the standings? 8:50 ... The Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic play twice this weekend on Friday and Sunday with both games in Orlando.  While the Magic are playing better than the Celtics as of late, it's never easy to beat the same team twice in two days. 12:16 ... Final Thought: Bruce admits he may have been wrong about Doc Rivers using Giannis Antetokounmpo to bring the ball up and initiate the offense for the Bucks. 13:35 ... Final Thought: World B thinks the Oklahoma City Thunder have a legit chance to win 70 games this season. 15:30 ... Final thought: Ross wonders about unsigned free agents Malik Beasley and Ben Simmons and what their status is.  Could Simmons simply be quietly retiring without a formal announcement? 16:54 ... Ross wraps it up TRT 17:12   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Ross hello, welcome, introduction of the panel. 0:36 ... Show #195 is dedicated to the late Anthony Mason who played for the Knicks in 1995 under Pat Riley. 1:34 ... The Chicago Bulls continue their strong early season run and the guys break down what has been going to well.  Josh Giddey has been leading the way for Billy Donovan's team even though their forwards are not grabbing many rebounds. 6:20 ... The matchup between the Bulls and 76ers on Tuesday night will feature a fascinating matchup between guards Tyrese Maxey of Philly and Giddey.  The winner of the game will also take over the top spot in the east. 9:08 ... The New York Knicks have not been firing on all cylinders early in the season as they adjust to new head coach Mike Brown.  The Knicks are shooting a lot more 3 pointers than they did last season but there does not appear any reason to panic in New York.  Bruce feels that Jordan Clarkson's impact will eventually be felt as he competes for the 6th man of the year award. 14:10 .... The Orlando Magic have also been shaky out of the gate with their first four games all on the road.  Desmond Bane came over from Memphis to shoot 3 pointers but so far has shot mostly blanks.  Bruce feels their defense and rebounding will carry them to greater success and Bane will eventually remember how to make threes.  Ross is very concerned about the free throw shooting by the Magic which is only around 75% right now 19:10 ... The Oklahoma City Thunder have started the season 7-0 and our guys predict when their first loss may take place.  Bruce and Ross see it coming in a day or two while World B feels they'll remain undefeated into next week. 21:44 ... The Portland Trailblazers have responded well to new coach Tiago Splitter who replaced Chauncey Billups when the gambling scandal sidelined him.  Jrue Holiday, Jerami Grant, and Donovan Clingan have all excelled in the early going.  World B credits their aggressive defense and insane hustle as huge factors in their success.  Once Scoot Henderson returns from his injury, their defense should improve even more. 27:11 ... Trae Young of the Hawks will miss at least a month with an MCL injury.  His shooting has been terrible but maybe the mental break due to injury might help him to reset things when he returns.  World B has some stats supporting the Hawks' offensive improvement with Young sidelined.  Ross points out that with no other point guards on the roster, Atlanta will have to run their offense in a non-traditional way. 30:39 ... Ja Morant is also creating a mess in Memphis with his poor attitude.  He was suspended for insubordinate behavior and it won't be long before the trade rumors start up in earnest.  Simply put, he needs to GROW UP. 35:07 ... "True or False"  The guys check in on whether the San Antonio Spurs will win 50 games and finish in the top 4 in the west. 38:05 ... "True or False"  Everyone checks in on whether Nikola Jokic will set the single season record for triple doubles (currently 42 by Russell Westbrook). 40:17 ... The final "True or False" question ... Someone other than Stephen Curry will lead the league in 3 pointers made. 42:05 ... Ross says goodbye TRT 42:18     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Bruce and Ross have some issues with the "Tournament" label on the NBA Cup, which started on Friday.  They believe the games are just as important as regular season games than as "Tournament Victories."  The timing and format of the "Tournament" are also a bit puzzling. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 0:37 Fun NBA Weekend Matchups We're Looking Forward Too! 1:17 New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls 3:48 Dallas Mavericks vs Detroit Pistons 6:24 Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 9:51 Bruce shares his rant on the NBA Cup 12:29 A Way Too Early Over Reaction 12:42 Bruce on the Houston Rockets 14:55 Ross on AJ Green of the Milwaukee Bucks Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 01:14 Our Reactions to the NBA Betting Scandals 6:45 Bruce & Ross share their thoughts on all of the different NBA network productions so far 14:45 Victor Wembanyama's Monster 1st Week 19:20 Just Slow Starts or A Long Year Ahead? 19:25 Boston Celtics 21:24 Indiana Pacers 23:05 New Orleans Pelicans 25:30 Phoenix Suns 27:31 Dallas Mavericks 30:54 Red Hot Rookies Around the League 34:50 The 50 Ball Club is already forming early this season, who's next to join? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Ross introduction and dedicates episode #192 to Detlef Schrempf. 0:54 ... Weekend preview ... We begin with Celtics vs Knicks on Friday at MSG. 5:18 ... Saturday's top matchup: Thunder vs Hawks in Atlanta. 9:38 ... Teams we'll be watching this season: The Spurs, Warriors, and Clippers. TRT 16:13 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Opening animation ... Ross introduces the crew 0:43 ... Ross dedicates Show #191 to Scott Skiles, the first coach Ross ever worked for in the NBA 0:58 ... Bruce introduces Tim Legler of ESPN and ABC, "the best hoop analyst in the business."  Legs reacts immediately with a story about Scott Skiles and his record breaking 30 assist game. 2:53 ... Bruce finishes the Legs intro and compares him to the great LeBron James.  Legs reacts to the great complement and explains how his work ethic and desire to teach has always been present. 4:30 ... Legs reacts to winning the Long Distance Shootout in 1996 and how it affected his future in the sport.  Legs finally found himself with a team and a coach that allowed him to flourish and validate himself. 8:00 ... Bruce asks Legs how he will handle being on the number one broadcast team for ESPN and ABC ... Legs plans to do the same things he has done in the studio, but will do them in "real time" on the game broadcasts. 11:50 ... Legs is doing a series for NBA TV where he interviews a number of high profile coaches and breaks down their favorite plays.  Legs says it was an amazing experience to spend time with so many great coaches. 15:00 ... World B asks about Nikola Jokic and if his even keeled demeanor is held against him.  Legs feels that Denver has made itself a championship contender this season and that will help Joker in this year's MVP race. 18:19 ... Is Cooper Flagg going to be a "lock" in the "Rookie of the Year" race?  Legs' answer was pretty surprising and he pointed out that the award tends to be stat driven, which might work against Flagg. 21:40 ... If Jayson Tatum returns late in the season and is healthy and effective, can the Celtics make a serious playoff run? 24:33 ... Legs shares which teams he feels could maybe come out of the east in a season where the conference appears to be wide open. 26:52 ... Ross asks about the Milwaukee Bucks and if they stand a chance in the east.  Legs is concerned about their defense. 29:13 ... Three point shooting has become far more prevalent than it was when Legs played in the 1990s.  He feels like the right number of threes taken by a team should be in the 30's. 32:05 ... Bruce asks about the unique skill set of Victor Wembanyama and Legs has an incredible breakdown of things Wemby can do that nobody else can do, especially on defense. 35:17 ... Can an aging Clippers team make noise in the western conference?  Legs thinks they can actually finish as high as #3 in the west.  Kawhi Leonard could be poised for a strong season. 38:09 ... Michael asks Legs about an "under the radar" team and he loves Orlando's intensity and what they are capable of this season.  The Magic added a great three point shooter in Desmond Bane, which was their weakness last season. 40:29 ... LeBron James begins his 23rd season and Legs explains some of the things he'll need to do in order to stay healthy and effective for the playoffs. 43:13 ... Legs is asked about a team that may have been overhyped but might not be "all that."  Atlanta in the east and San Antonio in the west are his choices. 46:22 ... Trae Young of the Hawks has not signed for next season and that can affect the team if it drags on endlessly, but at the start of the season it's not a factor. 49:44 ... The Jonathan Kuminga saga in Golden State created a lot of summer drama.  Legs calls it "the longest audition" since he still isn't considered an indispensable player.  But Legs feels like most of the issues surrounding him have already been dealt with over the years. 53:48 ... Legs played with some of the greatest players in the history of the sport.  Legs cites one former teammate that stood out above them all. 55:35 ... Ross thanks Legs and wraps it up ... TRT 56:23           Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:16 Rookie of the Year 3:25 Defensive Player of the Year 5:20 Sixth Man of the Year 7:44 Coach of the Year 10:41 Most Valuable Player 13:53 Most Improved Player Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Fred hello and welcome to the "Big Red Bus" from the BLEAV Network. 1:07 ... Fred introduces Bruce and shares some background on his NBA credentials. 1:47 ... Bruce shares the three top moments of his career covering the NBA.  Hakeem Olajuwon & Dr. Jack Ramsay 1995 Finals. 3:08 ... 2008 NBA Finals story with Paul Pierce and the first indoor Gatorade shower. 3:45 ... David Stern's final interview on Pure Hoops Media. 4:31 ... Bruce on some of the famous names he's worked with ... Bill Simmons, Zach Lowe, Brian Windhorst, Stephen A. Smith, Jeff Van Gundy, Hubie Brown, JJ Redick. 9:22 ... Bruce's history as a Celtics fan and how he compares the team to his old team at ESPN. 10:34 ... Bruce discusses his friend and former colleague Tim Legler, who has been elevated to the top NBA analyst position at ABC/ESPN. 11:28 ... Other analysts Bruce admired: Doug Collins, Avery Johnson, Will Perdue. 12:54 ... More on Doug Collins and his brilliance at the 2015 NBA Finals. 14:29 ... Bruce's thoughts on how TV now covers the NBA with an extreme emphasis on gambling 15:20 ... Linear TV is dying and Streaming is ascendent.  Bruce was puzzled by Adam Silver's comments on the NBA being a "highlights" league when he was defending all the moves from cable to streaming. 16:50 ... While Bruce disagreed with Adam's streaming comment, bruce feels Adam has done a great job as Commissioner. 18:18 ... Bruce says an "under the radar" storyline this year will be the San Antonio Spurs with Victor Wembanyama winning MVP an Defensive Player of the Year. 20:25 ... How the globalization of the game has impacted the NBA.  Bruce feels the best centers are all from outside the USA and he goes down the list. 21:37 ... How about the Chicago Bulls?  This year's team needs big improvement from their young bigs and the rebounding and defense need much improvement. 25:54 ... The significance of the late '90s Chicago Bulls teams when Michael Jordan was the most famous person on the planet.  Bruce questions why MJ seems to be the "Permanent and Forever GOAT" who can never be surpassed. 27:00 ... Fred and Bruce go back and forth on MJ and LeBron with each making the case for their guy. 30:36 ... Derrick Rose will have his jersey retired by the Bulls and both Fred and Bruce make the case for D-Rose to eventually make it into the Hall of Fame. 33:27 ... Bruce plugs the series of "Two-a-Days" on the 48 Minutes podcast where all 30 teams are previewed over 15 shorter shows. 36:00 ... Fred wraps it up and says goodbye TRT 36:40     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 2:00 Eastern Conference Team Over/Under Predictions 2:04 Boston Celtics 4:45 New York Knicks 6:07 Toronto Raptors 7:54 Brooklyn Nets 9:15 Philadelphia 76ers 10:53 Cleveland Cavaliers 13:01 Indiana Pacers 14:59 Milwaukee Bucks 18:00 Detroit Pistons 20:25 Chicago Bulls 22:25 Orlando Magic 24:57 Atlanta Hawks 26:38 Miami Heat 28:32 Charlotte Hornets 30:26 Washington Wizards 32:58 Western Conference Team Over/Under Predictions 33:04 Oklahoma City Thunder 34:35 Denver Nuggets 35:15 Minnesota Timberwolves 38:07 Portland Trail Blazers 40:24 Utah Jazz 42:19 Los Angeles Lakers 44:05 Los Angeles Clippers 46:16 Golden State Warriors 48:18 Sacramento Kings 50:19 Phoenix Suns 52:47 Houston Rockets 54:05 Memphis Grizzlies 55:45 Dallas Mavericks 57:08 San Antonio Spurs 58:44 New Orleans Pelicans Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:03 Washington Wizards 6:53 Utah Jazz Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:22 Toronto Raptors 9:43 San Antonio Spurs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:12 Philadelphia 76ers 8:23 Sacramento Kings Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Opening Animation ... Ross hello and introduces the panel ... Show #185 is dedicated to Baron Davis, who wore #85 with two NBA teams. 1:10 ... Bruce introduces "Woj" and pronounces his name correctly ... Bruce runs down some highlights of his legendary career. 3:21 ... Woj shares his thoughts on delivering his acceptance speech at the Hoop Hall of Fame ... he singles out Jackie MacMullan and how other legends of the game sat and listened to his speech. 5:12 ... Woj grew up in Bristol, CT the home of ESPN.  But before joining ESPN in 2017, Woj worked in the newspaper business but took a leap of faith in 2007 and joined Yahoo! Sports.  He shares great memories of pioneering digital media NBA coverage with Yahoo! 10:04 ... On being an underdog at Yahoo and using that to fuel his desire to compete.  Woj loved being an underdog. 11:47 ... ESPN is a machine and no individual person is bigger than "the place."  But that machinery helps to make stars.    But Woj did his best to keep his underdog mentality alive, although at ESPN that was hard to do.  Woj reflects on the journey and the pride he and his crew felt about their work. 15:00 ... World B asks about growing up in Bristol and traveling all over the country before eventually returning to Bristol to work for ESPN.  That's why he didn't pursue ESPN at the start of his career ... he wanted to be a sports writer, which did not exist at ESPN back then. 17:02 ... Woj's elderly Dad lived in Bristol when he joined ESPN in 2017.  It was meaningful to be able to spend some time together. 19:11 ... Woj and Donovan Clingan both went to Bristol Central High School.  Woj knew him from the time he was in 8th grade. 21:13 ... Woj broke so many stories that he made it seem routine ... if there was a big story, he probably broke it.  But there were plenty of challenges ... the demands on his family time were tops on that list.  But there were many others and Woj explains some in vivid detail. 27:30 ... Woj shares his experience doing a Giannis Antetokounmpo Series during COVID that was a three part podcast he did with his editor Cristina Daglas, who is Greek.  Woj was incredibly impressed with Giannis's recall and contributions to the project. 31:32 ... Woj reflects on his first real scoop with Yahoo! on Greg Oden and how it more or less put him on the map. 34:07 ... When LeBron James and Chris Bosh went to Miami, the modern "Insider" position was really created.  It fueled interest in all the "behind the scenes" moves and the fans were hungry for all of it. 35:34 ... Woj runs through his main responsibilities as general manager at St. Bonaventure and the word "general" describes his responsibilities.   He tells a great story about how the new film room at the school was where he met his wife Amy back when the student newspaper office was there and they were both students. 40:44 ... The NIL has changed college sports in a huge way.  Woj explains where a lot of the money comes from and how "Rev Share" is a big part of the University's financial relationship with students. 43:53 ... Bruce asks Woj to explain how he fits into the chain of command between the coach and athletic director. 46:16 ... Woj has an enormous social media following (more than 6 million on Twitter/X and 2 million on Instagram) and he explains how his personal reach benefits the basketball program.  While there are some rules regarding his tweeting, he can still drop a Woj Bomb on behalf of the program. 48:43 ... Ross asks about new recruit Joe Grahovac, a 24 year old sophomore who has an incredible personal story.  There is a lot of NBA interest in seeing Grahovac and the school will have a "Pro Day" to showcase Grahovac and other Bonnies players.  He looks a bit like a red haired hoop legend from UCLA back in the 1970s. 52:58 ... Woj loved pursuing players from around the world and recruiting them to the school.  They've brought in six international players and all have great individual stories and bring different cultures into the program. 57:08 ... Culture is something that has to be worked on every day ... the guys who live that way are the guys they want at St. Bonny. 58:04 ... The "Pro Day" at St. Bonaventure will be a first for a "Mid Major" school.  Woj explains how an event like that can enhance a player's prospects for a pro career. 1:02:00 ... Some of the NBA players Woj knows have helped mentor the St. Bonny players, especially in dealing with injuries.  Woj also tries to connect players with alumni who are business and community leaders. 1:04:46 ... What is Woj's top goal for the upcoming season?  To see the growth of the players and the program is a priority. 1:06:01 ... Ross thanks Woj for his time tonight! TRT 1:06:41                       Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Bruce introduction with his ESPN experiences and NBA background. 2:23 ... What the "48 Minutes" podcast is, who the hosts are, and information on the show's "Two-a-Day" project where all 30 NBA teams are previewed as the season approaches. 5:47 ... Milwaukee Bucks off-season storylines 7:52 ... How do we expect the Bucks to fare in the eastern conference this season? 10:27 ... With Giannis Antetokounmpo acting as the primary ballhandler, is that style detrimental to the development of the team's young guards? 13:40 ... Is Andre Jackson Jr. getting a fair chance to develop and what do we make of the other guards on the team? 17:30 ... Bobby Portis plays with "fire in his belly," and his teammate Kyle Kuzma could use some of that in his game too. 22:28 ... Myles Turner replaces Brook Lopez as a rim protector and "stretch five," but this team will rise or fall with its defense. 23:46 ... If the team stumbles badly, could we be looking at the end of the "Giannis Era" in Milwaukee? 26:57 ... League talk ... Rockets lose Fred Van Vleet, possibly for the whole season. 27:46 ... Orlando looks like a dangerous team in the east with newly acquired Desmond Bane. 29:08 ... Which team in the west can challenge OKC for the top spot? 30:16 ... Will LeBron James and Luka Doncic co-exist with the Lakers and be successful together for a full season? 32:47 ... Are the Clippers too old and is Kawhi Leonard actually holding them back? 34:54 ... Bruce promotes the 48 Minutes podcast and the "Two-a-Day" series of 30 NBA previews.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Opening animation, introduction of the panel, and show #184 dedication to former Knicks great Ron Baker. 1:40 ... Orlando Magic discussion 9:17 ... Portland Trailblazers discussion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As we get closer to the new-look Boston Celtics beginning their 2025-26 NBA season, there's no better time to rehash all the moves that were made over the offseason. Four time Emmy-winning ESPN vet and “48 Minutes” Podcast co-host Bruce Bernstein joined Courtney Tate on a special episode of "BLEAV in Celtics."  They'll discuss what C's fans have to look forward to this coming season. Bernstein spent over 30 years at ESPN, including 15 years leading the network's NBA studio programming. He brings deep behind-the-scenes insight, high-performance leadership stories, and sharp NBA analysis to every conversation. Some topics include: Is there hope in Boston this season? Can Jaylen Brown flourish as the "Alpha" with Jayson Tatum out of action? Will Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta work out as starters? Rapid Fire on Celtics History & Classic Memories Pat Riley/Lakers Story And so much more!     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Animation, hello and welcome , and introduction of the panel.  Episode #183 is dedicated to Craig Smith, who wore #83 as a member of the Portland Trailblazers. 1:07 ... New York Knicks discussion 8:48 ... Phoenix Suns discussion     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 .... Opening Theme and Hello ... intro panel and dedication of show #18 in honor of Nets legend Buck Williams. 1:23 .... Bucks discussion ... 12:56 .... Thunder discussion   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:08 Miami Heat 7:17 New Orleans Pelicans Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:18 Indiana Pacers 8:23 Minnesota Timberwolves Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:23 Detroit Pistons 7:42 Memphis Grizzlies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:16 Cleveland Cavaliers 8:21 Los Angeles Lakers Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As we get closer to the new-look Dallas Mavericks beginning their 2025-26 NBA season, there's no better time to rehash all the moves that were made over the offseason. On Wednesday, 4-time Emmy-winning ESPN vet and “48 Minutes” Podcast co-host Bruce Bernstein joined us on a special episode of our Mavs Step Back Podcast to discuss what Mavs fans have to look forward to this coming season. Bernstein spent over 30 years at ESPN, including 15 years leading the network's NBA studio programming. He brings deep behind-the-scenes insight, high-performance leadership stories, and sharp NBA analysis to every conversation. In this episode, we also discuss the Kawhi Leonard / Los Angeles Clippers scandal while also scouting some Mavs' rivals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:34 Chicago Bulls 7:45 Los Angeles Clippers Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Among our topics: -The standoff between Golden State's management and Jonathan Kuminga over his next contract -The story behind Giannis Antetoknoumpo and why he appeared on the 48 Minutes podcast two years ago. -The new broadcast and streaming deals between the NBA and its partners. -The implications of "Inside The NBA" and its move to ESPN. -And SO MUCH more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 Intro 1:03 Charlotte Hornets 8:01 Houston Rockets Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... Show open, introduction of the panel, and explanation of the "Two-a-Day" series. 1:10 ... Brooklyn Nets discussion ... The good news for the lowly Nets is that this will be their 50th NBA season after joining the league as one of the former ABA teams who joined the NBA for the 1976-'77 season.  But that may be it for good news this season in Brooklyn. 2:37 ... World B feels the Nets are not "tanking," they're "rebuilding." 4:06 ... Cam Thomas returns to the team on a "lowball" qualifying deal after averaging 24 points last season.  Will he be a problem as he looks to score a lot in hopes of being paid next season?  Nic Claxton is one of the few players on the team with trade value, so perhaps he may be moved to a good team before the trade deadline. 6:06 ... There should be plenty of good seats available at Barclays Center this season for fans whose favorite teams are playing the Nets! 6:41 ... Golden State Warriors discussion ... this could be their last chance to make noise out west as they have an aging team with key players like Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green in their late 30s.  Butler will need to score more consistently to help Curry with the scoring load if the team is to approach 50 wins. 9:02 ... Bruce feels the Warriors are the most "unsettled" team in the league, mainly because of the Jonathan Kuminga free agency standoff.  Bruce feels that Kuminga may be risking alienating his teammates since the Warriors can't move forward to fill out their roster until he makes a decision on how much money he'll be willing to accept this season.  This is affecting players like Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton whose personal situations are impacted by Kuminga's saga. 10:38 ... Ross feels Kuminga may be traded (before the February deadline) once his contract is settled.   Bruce feels like the age of the Warriors increases the potential for injuries. 13:19 ... World B feels like the Dubs really need Kuminga because he is a young player with talent. 14:54 ... Ross wraps up the show and teases the next show. TRT 15:21    

0:00 ... Show open, introduction of the panel, and explanation of the "Two-a-Day" series. 1:10 ... Boston Celtics discussion ... Bruce believes all eyes will be on Jaylen Brown, who will have a chance to quiet his critics with Jayson Tatum sidelined.  Can JB lead his team through adversity this season? 2:00 ... World B feels like the Celtics will be very "guard heavy" and struggle mightily this season.  Tatum's absence will be impossible to replace. 3:43 ... Ross feels like coach Joe Mazzulla will have a chance to really experiment and try new things this season. 4:48 ... Bruce explains why the team needed to be "gutted" for financial reasons but he sees hope in Neemias Queta and his development for the future. 7:16 ... Boston has historically been a solid defensive team and has shown the ability to play well in the past when key players missed games. 8:15 ... Denver Nuggets discussion ... has the acquisition of Cam Johnson solved their shooting problems?  Can their defense improve from last season?  World B loves their starting lineup. 9:59 ... Bruce explains why he feels Nikola Jokic is a "cheat code" for coach David Adelman and shares an unbelievable stat about the Nuggets' three point shooting.  The addition of Jonas Valenciunas as Joker's backup will be huge. 11:51 ... Ross feels Denver had the best off-season of any team in the league and explains why. 12:43 ... Christian Braun is a high end "glue guy" who deserves more credit than he usually receives. 13:30 ... Ross wraps things up and teases the next show. TRT 13:57    

0:00 ... Show open, introduction of the panel, and explanation of the "Two-a-Day" series. 1:10 ... Atlanta Hawks discussion ... many new faces join a solid crew from last season.  The Hawks' front office had an incredible off-season. 3:09 ... Trae Young's contract status could be an issue.  He's flawed but important. 5:30 ... Health and player development from their young returnees are key issues. 6:26 ... Asa Newell might be a rookie to watch as a 6-11 forward with a great skill set. 7:33 ... Dallas Mavericks discussion ... It's been a wild few months in Dallas and the future may be bright, but it might not happen right away.  They have quality bigs with Anthony Davis, Derek Lively, and Daniel Gafford. 9:29 ... Kyrie's extended absence will prevent the Mavs from reaching 50 wins, but Bruce expects the Mavs to peak after the calendar flips to 2026 when Irving returns.  PJ Washington signed a four year contract extension but if Cooper Flagg develops rapidly, Washington could become expendable. 10:40 ... Ross is concerned about the Mavericks backcourt and some shortcomings in the playmaking department. 11:48 ... De'Angelo Russell and Klay Thompson will need to create a lot of points.  World B expects Flagg to be exceptional.  Bruce expects the Mavs to be solid on the boards and good defensively. 16:14 ... Ross is keeping an eye on Jaden Hardy, who could be more important early on before Kyrie returns in 2026. 16:53 ... Ross wraps and teases next show TRT 17:13    

0:00 .... Opening and Welcome 0:33 ... Episode #172 is dedicated to Rayan Rupert of the Portland Trailblazers who wears uniform #72 0:48 ... Cavaliers news .... Max Strus to miss 3-4 months and how injuries could affect Cleveland's season. 5:01 ... Bucks news ... Thanassis Antetokounmpo returns to the team after missing last season with an achilles injury.  What does he bring to the team? 8:10 ... Jeremy Lin announces his retirement from basketball and the guys share stories of his legendary February run in 2012 for the Knicks that became known as "Linsanity." 12:27 ... Bold Predictions Segments ... Bruce on Orlando's Franz Wagner, who will be an All-Star. 14:54 ... World B on the Denver Nuggets and how they can win it all. 17:22 ... Ross says Denver's Cam Johnson will be an All-Star this season. 18:54 ... Bruce feels Neemias Queta of the Celtics will average a double-double and be one of the ten most improved players in the league. 20:16 ... World B says the Knicks will make the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. 22:04 ... Ross says Bennedict Mathurin of Indiana will average 21 points per game this season. 23:38 ... Bruce predicts that Kevin Durant will average his fewest points per game since his rookie season but will still be super effective as a clutch scorer late in games. 24:37 ... World B feels that Stephen Curry will manage one more 50 point game this season. 26:30 ... Ross predicts an American born player (Anthony Edwards) will win the Most Valuable Player award this season. 28:29 ... Bruce boldly predicts that the Philadelphia 76ers will jump from #13 to #4 in the east this season as their stars avoid serious injuries. 30:15 ... World B says Paolo Banchero will make an All-NBA Team this season as long as he meets the "games played" requirement of 65 regular season games. 31:54 ... Ross predicts Desmond Bane of the Magic will make the All-Star team with his new squad. 33:28 ... Bruce boldly predicts that Victor Wembanyama will win the Defensive Player of the Year award and the Most Valuable Player Award, becoming the third Spur after Tim Duncan and David Robinson to win the MVP. 35:33 ... World B predicts Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo will finish 1-2 in the MVP voting, but he's not saying who is number one and who is number two. 38:06 ... Ross predicts that Deni Avdija of the Portland Trailblazers will win the Most Improved Player award.  Bruce agrees 100% and would have made the same prediction if Ross hadn't called "dibs" on it first! 41:13 ... Final thoughts and goodbye ... TRT 41:38      

0:00 Intro 1:06 Friend of the show Michael Cooper & the Miami 305 win the Big 3 Championship! 3:19 The Eastern Conference way too early power rankings 4:08 The “No Shots” out East 12:13 Bruce unveils his latest & greatest NBA player nickname! 13:32 The Play-In Playas 23:47 The Play-offers 36:22 The Contenders 48:10 Bruce provides his final thoughts on Rick Carlisle's contact extension with the Pacers 49:48 World B reflects on John Wall's career 52:01 Ross shares his final thought on Chicago's Derrick Rose Jersey Retirement night

0:00 ... Opening animation and welcome to Amar Shah ... a basketball savant, former colleague at ESPN, and longtime "brother and friend." 0:56 ... Amar's family immigrated from India and settled in Deland, Florida in the 1980s.  His story really begins at the Phillips 66 gas station his father bought. 2:52 ... Amar first reached the national scene in 2018 when he wrote an Op Ed piece for the Washington Post where he wrote about his father, whom he compared to Apu from "The Simpsons."  Amar explains why he wrote the piece.  The story had more than 10 million engagements and resonated around the country and even the world. 6:18 ... As a 14 year old high school kid, Amar had an incredible opportunity to cross paths with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, which was his first encounter with an NBA icon.  Amar shares the story of a "confrontation" with Bulls coach Phil Jackson.  That encounter lit the journalistic fire in the skinny adolescent that has burned brightly for more than three decades. 11:25 ... Jackson was always fond of sending books to his players so Bruce asks Amar if he would send his books (he's published four) to the coach? 12:22 ... After the notoriety he received from his encounter with the Bulls, it helped "Teenaged Amar" to begin an incredible relationship with Shaquille O'Neal which eventually landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated for Kids with Shaq.  This story is mind boggling on so many levels. 20:15 ... As a 16 year old, Amar also had an interview with Kobe Bryant and as is usually the case with Amar, there is a great story involved. 24:26 ... Bruce asks about Amar's newest book "I Wish I Was a Baller."  The book is targeted towards middle school-aged kids and Amar discusses the lessons he hoped to share with his readers. He also explains how the book evolved from its original form into a graphic novel and the process involved. 29:52 ... Amar was a production assistant at ESPN back in 2004 when Bruce first met him.  The advice Bruce gave Amar and others was to be "aggressive but patient."  Amar explains how he cracked that code. 32:04 ... The ESPN experience for production assistants was incredibly demanding.  Amar compares it to a "Hunger Games" type of environment and how it prepared him for everything that followed in his career. 33:57 ... Amar has succeeded in creating content on many different platforms, and he shares one of his most cherished future goals. 35:09 ... His film "The Patel Motel Story" was the story of how immigrants from the Gujarat area of India came to dominate the motel industry.  Amar explains the history of how this happened. 37:30 ... Much of Amar's work celebrates how Indian immigrants grabbed onto the American dream and he shares his thoughts on the pride he has in telling these distinctive stories. 38:46 ...  Amar's storylines about coming of age as a teenager have resonated and he explains what a privilege it has been to have the opportunity to inspire his readers. 42:30 ... Bruce wonders if it was easier or harder to write about his own stories in "I Wish I Was a Baller" than it was to write his "Play The Game" books.  All of them are "personal," but in different ways. 44:17 ... As for fan mail from the kids who read the books, Amar describes how parents have shared stories with him about how their kids consumed them. 44:58 ... Amar explains how all of his experiences on different platforms have helped him in the way he tells stories in his books. 46:18 ... After all of his accomplishments so far, what goals does Amar have for the future? 47:59 ... Amar lets everyone know how to reach him and order his books. 48:59 ... Bruce and Amar say goodbye .... TRT 49:20          

0:00 .... Ross hello, welcome, and introduces the crew of Bruce Bernstein and Michael "World B" Freer."  Show number 170 is dedicated to Devin Booker, who scored a career high 70 points in a loss to the Celtics back in March of 2017. 1:07 ... The NBA released the full schedule for the upcoming season and each member of the show picked three games they have "circled" on the schedule.  Bruce leads us off with an opening night matchup between the Thunder and Rockets and the return of the NBA on NBC on October 21st. 2:25 ... World B chooses Warriors/Lakers on opening night, also on NBC. 3:36 ... Ross chooses Bucks/Pacers and Myles Turner's return to Indiana as a member of the Bucks. 4:20 ... Bruce is intrigued by the first meeting between the Magic and Knicks on November 12th. 5:09 ... World B looks forward to Spurs/Mavericks on October 22nd in a matchup with Cooper Flagg and Victor Wembanyama. 6:28 ... Ross looks forward to Kevin Durant's return to Phoenix on November 24th. 7:37 ... Bruce is excited about the first matchup between the Pacers and Celtics on December 22nd. 8:39 ... World B looks forward to the Christmas Day matchup with the Cavaliers and Knicks at the Garden.  These are the likely top two teams in the east. 10:08 ... March 21st marks the Bucks visit to Phoenix as Ross looks forward to his yearly reunion with Giannis Antetokounmpo on his once a year visit to Ross' hometown. 11:09 ... The NBA and the Players Association are backing additional limitations on prop bets in the wake of gambling investigations involving Malik Beasley and Terry Rozier.  The crew examines all the angles of basketball wagering and wonders if it's possible to put the genie back in the bottle now that sports gambling has become so mainstream.  Everyone agrees that the integrity of the game can be adversely affected by gambling and the league needs to act responsibly to protect the image of the league. 21:11 ... Each panelist discusses one significant move that was made by their favorite team in the off-season.  Bruce picks the Celtics signing of Chris Boucher, the 8 year veteran who comes to Boston from Toronto. 22:33 ... World B feels the Knicks hiring of new head coach Mike Brown was a major move for the franchise.  He compares the hiring to the Yankees hiring of Joe Torre back in 1996. 25:00 ... Ross loves the Cole Anthony signing for his Milwaukee Bucks and adds that the acquisition of Amir Coffey will also be a major boost for the Bucks. 26:52 ... The Lakers will honor former coach Pat Riley with a statue on February 22nd.  The crew wonders why the Heat didn't honor him first, but all were thankful that the sculptor who did the Dwyane Wade statue in Miami isn't doing this one. 30:09 ... Bruce recounts some of the stories Lakers legend Michael Cooper told about Riles two weeks ago when he appeared on 48 Minutes.  One of the best concerned how Riley buried secret words in each player's video splits that the coach later quizzed them on. 32:33 ... Final Thoughts .... Bruce is saddened by the fact that it seems certain that Al Horford will never play another game for the Celtics.  If Big Al goes to Golden State, it's highly unlikely the Celtics will retire his #42. 34:58 ... World B talked about Major League Baseball's consideration of a realignment plan to keep the fans interested in the sport.  Adam Silver has also tried some things in the NBA with the in-season tournament an play in games.    World B praises Silver for his efforts. 38:00 ... Ross' final thought was to discuss some trades the Suns chose not to make when they dealt Kevin Durant.   Miami made an offer that the Suns turned down and everyone shared their thoughts on why Phoenix made a better deal with Houston.  Phoenix also could have made a deal where they acquired an unprotected #1 pick from New Orleans next season in the Durant deal and everyone feels like the Suns will regret not doing it. 43:06 ... Bruce shouts out to Shawn Bradley, who was paralyzed in a bike accident but appeared in public at a Big 3 game over the weekend in Dallas.  It was one of the only times he's apeared in public since his bike crash in 2021.   TRT 44:25

0:00 Intro 1:28 Free Agency Update…Who are the big names still left & where might they be headed? 1:37 Russell Westbrook 3:04 Al Horford 6:27 Jonathan Kuminga 8:55 Ben Simmons 11:02 Cam Thomas 14:10 Josh Giddey 16:12 Quentin Grimes 18:19 Our way too early Western Conference Power Rankings 19:05 The “No Shots' 27:08 The “Play-In Playas” 34:35 The “Play-offers” 43:04 The “Contenders”

0:00 Intro 1:03 Bruce introduces Hall of Famer & Lakers Legend Michael Cooper 2:31 Coop on his childhood memories of the Lakers growing up in the LA area 3:32 How Coop was able to develop into one of the game's greatest defenders 4:53 Coop reflects on his lifelong friendship with Magic Johnson 7:30 Is Kareem's GOAT case better than MJ & LeBron? 10:54 The Kurt Rambis effect on the Lakers 14:59 Coop on the family vibe, love, & culture within the Lakers organization 17:50 Will the Laker culture change now with new ownership? 19:06 Pat Reilly's biggest strengths as a coach 22:27 What did Michael Cooper learn under Jerry West? 25:14 Coop on the Lakers organization fallout with Jerry West 26:33 Having coached the WNBA many years ago, how much has the skill level changed over time? 30:29 What it was like playing against & then coaching against old rival Bill Laimbeer 32:20 Coop on the impact of both Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese in the WNBA 34:24 Will individual rivalries in the WNBA spark even more interest in the league? 36:13 What's it like being a head coach in the Big 3? 40:00 The 4-point shot in the Big 3, could the NBA adapt that? 41:46 Coop on Marcus Smart's potential impact on the Lakers next season 43:24 Coop on what DeAndre Ayton can bring to this Lakers team 45:45 How should Luka's game improve now that he's in shape? 47:18 What advice would Coop give Zion Williamson 49:04 Can Ben Simmons still be a contributor to the contending NBA team?

0:00 ... Opening animation .... Ross says hello and welcomes the panel. 0:32 ... Show #167 is dedicated to Wilt Chamberlain for a variety of reasons involving the number "67." 1:15 ... The crew discusses four restricted free agents and their prospects for their next deal.  We start with Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors. 5:32 ... Cam Thomas of the Brooklyn Nets is next. 8:49 ... Quentin Grimes of the 76ers is next. 13:37 ... Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls is next. 18:45 ... Bulls head coach Billy Donovan agrees to a multi-year contract extension to stay on the Chicago bench.  What does it mean for the future of the team? 23:29 ... Former number one overall pick Ben Simmons is looking for his next team and Bruce is hoping it will be with his Boston Celtics. 28:18 ... Off-Season Grades, starting in the east: The Boston Celtics are first. 31:33 ... The New York Knicks are next ... 34:29 ... Next up, the Orlando Magic. 37:24 ... Off-Season Grades, moving to the west: The Oklahoma City Thunder. 39:21 ... Next up, the Houston Rockets 43:44 ... The Los Angeles Lakers are next. 46:20 ... "My Favorite Season" ... Bruce chooses the 2007-'08 Celtics 48:22 ... World B chooses the 1993-'94 Knicks, who lost the NBA Finals in 7 games to the Rockets. 51:09 ... Ross chooses the 2009-'10 Milwaukee Bucks when he was a season ticket holder as a student at Marquette. 53:12 ... Finally the crew plays word association with the following players: Lonzo Ball, Luke Kornet, Desmond Bane, Damian Lillard, Cooper Flagg, Marcus Smart. 56:03... Ross wraps things up and says goodbye ... TRT 56:23