48 Minutes

0:00 Intro 1:35 A Review of the NBA Christmas Day games 1:55 The Knicks come from behind home win against the Cavaliers 7:41 Spurs continue to dominate the Thunder 12:18 Cooper Flag showed up & showed out on the national stage 14:57 The Rockets cruised to victory against the Lakers 20:23 The Joker's insane game to cap off the NBA games on Christmas Day 22:47 Giannis Antetokounmpo returns to the Bucks lineup 27:06 The Hawks continue their skid with Trae Young back in the lineup 31:37 The Nets suddenly are red hot 37:17 Final Thoughts on the NCAA approving a former NBA draft pick to join Baylor Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our Favorite Secret Superpowers in the NBA today Payton Pritchard causing chaos with his dribbling Kevin Love & his leadership with the Utah Jazz Mikal Bridges being the Ironman of the NBA 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 1:02 Detroit Pistons @ Utah Jazz on Friday night 4:56 Denver Nuggets @ Orlando Magic on Saturday night 7:11 Philadelphia 76ers @ Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday 10:17 Our Favorite Secret Superpowers in the NBA today 10:33 Payton Pritchard causing chaos with his dribbling 11:41 Kevin Love & his leadership with the Utah Jazz 13:28 Mikal Bridges being the Ironman of the NBA 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 0:54 The New York Knicks win the 2025 NBA Cup 7:18 NBA Christmas Day Game Previews! 7:26 Cleveland Cavaliers @ New York Knicks 10:18 San Antonio Spurs @ Oklahoma City Thunder 14:17 Dallas Mavericks @ Golden State Warriors 17:09 Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Lakers 20:44 Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets 24:12 The Fantastic 2025 NBA Draft Class 24:34 Cooper Flagg 27:34 Kon Knueppel 30:40 VJ Edgecombe 35:14 Dylan Harper 39:03 Derik Queen Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 ... The crew plays a game of "Traded or Not Traded" Anfernee Simons of Boston gets us started. 1:56 ... Zach Lavine ... will his contract make him hard to trade? 3:23 ... Jonathan Kuminga seems to be regressing, but he still has the skils. 5:23 ... Lauri Markkanen ... will "Trader Danny" move his best player for future assets? 7:45 ... Is there any chance Giannis Antetokounpo leaves Milwaukee? 9:55 ... Ross wraps it up sand says goodbye. 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 and welcome.  Show #208 is dedicated to Byron Scott, who was NBA Coach of the Year in 2008. 0:47 ... Friday the Heat play the Celtics in Boston .... who will win? 4:49 ... Saturday's game is Rockets at Nuggets with a great matchup at center with Nikola Jokic and Alperen Sengun. 9:58 ... The Heat visit the Knicks in NY on Sunday ... New York has been unbeatable at home and the Heat have struggled as of late. 13:21 ... The guys pick 5 players and discuss whether they will be traded or not traded.  Anfernee Simons, Zach Lavine, Jonathan Kuminga, Lauri Markkanen, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. 23:16 ... Ross wraps it up and says goodbye TRT 23:30   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 welcome and introduces panel ... episode #207 is dedicated to Brandon Roy, who was rookie of the year in 2007. 0:49 ... Recap of NBA Cup semifinal game #1 between the Knicks and Magic. 11:15 ... Recap of the Spurs/Thunder semifinal game ... Victor Wembanyama made his presence felt.  It sure looks like the Spurs and Thunder could develop into a great rivalry. 20:10 ... Will the NBA Cup semifinal matchups also be the conference finals matchups? 23:33 ... Will the great games from the NBA Cup lift the interest level in the NBA? 27:14 ... NBA Cup Finals Preview: Spurs vs Knicks on Tuesday ... how can the Knicks contain Wemby? 32:23 ... What would an NBA Cup title mean to these two teams?  Would the veteran Knicks or upstart Spurs benefit more? TRT 36:54     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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