D-UP!

Former Pro Basketball player and Nyc streetball legend, Nick Leon stops by to talk about his career and all things ball. He talks about the mental grit and sacrifice it took to become a pro basketball player as well as other passions he turned into a career.  In this Part 1 episode we learn of many never before heard details of pro life and specifically his experience in dealing with the underbelly of it all. There is alot in here that the young guys can learn from Nick and his positivity and mental approach!  We also get to talk about some NBA current affairs including the Kyrie Irving saga in Brooklyn. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

The NBA Finals have concluded and our guesses for the battle of L.A. were wrong. Louis explores two major reasons the Lakers came out on top. The bubble offered a different bunch of variables, that we have seen only one or two times before. Credit the Lakers for taking advantage of the bubble and the time off. The Miami Heat earned their spot in the Finals too, but were overmatched. Lebron won the MVP by doing what we all wanted him to always do. This is our NBA Finals recap! Exclusive takes as always.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Louis gives Pat Bev some breaking news in Miami. Are you shocked enough yet?! Other than the Lakers getting back to the promised land, The NBA has been full of twists and turns. You know "D-UP!" delivers the drama, but this is almost too much! From the Miami Heat and Pat Riley to the Clippers losing this soap opera is getting "heated". The Finals is on and we are in full swing at the bubble. There is a secret trade "D-UP!" proposes that can shake up the NBA next year, so tune in to find out this exclusive material you won't find anywhere else. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

There are three culprits for this Clipper loss in the Eastern Conference Semis. That Lakers Clippers matchup is gone like the wind! Whos to blame and where do we go from here?  Both the Bucks and the Clippers have let down "D-UP!" We completely supported these two powerhouses the whole season. Both Miami and Denver proved to be spoilers. Take a seat at the table for twenty minutes and enjoy the NBA playoff drama! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

"D-UP!" has been a firm believer in Giannis and he is letting us down. The Bucks are down 3-0 and no team has ever come back from 3-0. Jimmy Butler looks astounding and the Pat Riley Heat look unshakable. The Lakers- Clippers freight trains seem to be headed for collision unless Houston breaks up party. Can the Lakers and Lebron find a way to stop the fast playing Rockets!? Raptors and Celtics is a tied series that might go 7. It's getting crazy here at the "D-UP!" table, so take a seat and enjoy the real talk! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Shockingly, the NBA players have staged a boycott. The recent games have been cancelled because of the players taking a stance on the Jacob Blake shooting. The NBA playoffs have been sizzling yet they are in jeopardy now. The first half of the episode covers the playoffs this far. The second half of the episode is adresses my opinion on the players boycott. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

In this episode, I go on Eru the Enystar's show "Die Hard Knicks Podcast" to talk about the Knicks and the Bulls and the origins of their rivalrly. The 90's era was filled with greatness and this was the clash of the titans. Real men playing real basketball! Michael Vs. The Knicks never disappointed. We talk about some of those moments and the origin of how this epic battle came to be.  

In this episode of “D-Up!”, take a ride with Michael Jordan while he takes flight into his legendary quest to a bigger than life career. We all are watching the Espn documentary of the Bulls dynasty while quarantined.. and we want more! Host of “D-Up!” Louis Balletta, brings you ALOT more of his personal commentary and “in your face” views of the docu-series.  

James Harden claims he's the best player in The NBA. Listen in to hear what I say about the Giannis / James Harden beef. The Lakers and Clippers story line gets eve more heated with the addition of two key players to LAC. We talk about the Bucks and Kobe as well.

On January 26th we lost a special human being. Mamba Mentality is a lifestyle and shall live on. The players after Kobe who idolize him, respect the sacredness of the game, and work on the fundamentals will be following in Kobe’s footsteps. He was a man who woke up at 3:45am for workouts, and he worked out three times a day. He played hurt, never afraid of anything or anyone. Kobe’s teammates were able to reach way beyond their potential because of their leader wearing purple and gold.  February 24th I have an essay that will be published on what I think the NBA can do to honor Kobe's legacy.

Live from Lombardi's Pizza NYC, Louis Balletta talks about the exciting matchup between the Clippers and the Lakers. We go into the coaching and x's and o's and history. Lebron's revenge season vs. the new blood of the Clippers. The Lakers had the league's best record at the time of this show's recording and show no signs of slowing. Yet the Kawhi and Paul are waiting for the long the run to show their medal. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all and enjoy this gift that the basketball gods have given us!

We have a fun story about Dennis Smith Jr. and the his conversation with an Uber driver. "D-UP!" gives you a clear take on why the Lakers are so dominant this week and it doesn't have to do with the players. The MVP is making another run for MVP and is probably going to get it. Two teams at 22-3 and this season is already on fire. Tune in to hear our commentary for another wonderful episode of "D-Up!"

The Bucks and the Lakers are tied for the best records in the league. James Harden and the Greek Freak are individually dominating. Fizdale is fired from the New York Knicks. And the NBA is on fire

In this special New York Knicks emergency podcast we explore two opposing views of where the Knicks should go now. This franchise has never been in more turmoil. Owner James Dolan has a mess on his hands. The fans are upset and want the coach fired, but does it go deeper than that? Scott Perry and Steve Mills have been at the helm of this losing franchise. Are they to blame? Who do you think the Knicks can hire to save this sinking ship? We are getting our show up symbolic day of the Porzingis return to MSG. If one trade was to represent the inadequacy of the Knicks organization's bad moves, Its this one. "D-Up!" has never been so fiery in this intense podcast between basketball experts Jamaal Womack and Louis Balletta.

Is Kawhi Leonard the MVP or Giannis? LeBron James is proving this is his revenge season like we predicted. Jamal and Louis take a seat at the "D-Up!" table to tackle surprises they have seen throughout this early part of the season. Are the Rockets worth the hype? Trae Young doing crazy unexpected work like the short handed Suns. This and much more in this 20th episode of "D-Up!"

I met up with my friend Jamal Womack to talk NBA basketball because that's what we do! Jamal is an assistant coach for St. Francis and a former pro basketball player. We dish on everything from the Lebron/ China comments to the battle for L.A. Jamal lends us his insight and knowledge, to bring us an inside take from  who plays the game and coaches it. Together we vibed and went nuclear on some NBA topics that you don't want to miss!  We both love the New York Knicks, so expanding our conversation outside of them for this session was easy! With so many storylines to pick from, we did a good job of diving into some juice that will interest any basketball junkie! 

In this exciting episode we discuss Lebron's upcoming comeback season and compare it to the eerily similar revenge tour that Michael Jordan had planned and accomplished. We also go over the Golden State Warriors and much more NBA news. NBA 2K20 is out and I will give a gamers review. Also, we look back on USA basketball's loss which was embarrassing. 

The craziest summer in basketball history is finished finally. Why is Kevin Durant always angry or depressed!? Meanwhile his former team, the Golden State Warriors, will rebound and make a considerable run in the west. Adam Silver looks to make a statement with his new anti-tampering rules. According to Stephen A Smith, the 76ers and the Bucks will come out victorious in the east. This and a lot more in this episode of "D-Up!"

From USA basketball to Melo to Lebron James vs. Michael Jordan, this episode of "D-Up!" scrambles it all up for you on a big silver plate. If you have been craving some NBA news in this quiet week, you have come to the right place!  This is a stew of different NBA news from all corners.

Does Carmelo Anthony deserve a chance? Does Jeremy Lin belong in the NBA? Demarcus is in trouble and it's NOT just his ACL ! The NBA always has its share of drama and there is certainly a lot of it at this point. This week's episode brought to you by MyBookie.com. Go to http://bit.ly/MYB-DUp and don’t forget to use the promo code DUP when creating your account to claim the bonus. Bet. Win. Get Paid” 

We touch on why Kevin Durant ruined a golden chance at building a legacy bigger than Lebron's this offseason. We also discuss who the Goat is (again) : Michael Jordan or Lebron James. The NCAA pushes back with the Rich Paul rule. 

In this episode I review the pickup games here at Lifetime at Sky and give you the rundown on what I saw behind the scenes! Who was the best player on the floor and who was the worst! I also, review some of free agency and who is the real KING of L.A. 

The NBA is balanced and open for the first time. We don't know who will be the best team and it's exciting. Free agency has ran it's course the the dust has settled. Lets take a look!

Free agency has been more of a bonanza than expected after the Chris Paul for Westbrook trade. Now this is heating up the NBA as much as the Kawhi Leonard blockbuster signing with the Clipper, with Paul George at this side.  Hear my take on the new look Lakers and Lebron and much much more!

Kawhi Leonard chose the Los Angeles Clippers over the Lakers! We will look at how he shocked the world and why this has changed the whole NBA for the good. The New York Knicks have embarrassed themselves yet again. 

The NBA Draft is tonight! Who will go where!? Where will Durant &Leonarb go ion free agency!? Trade season and free agency season is upon us. Kyrie to Brooklyn? 

The Toronto Raptors bested the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 finals. The Raptors won becoming the first Canadian team to win the NBA finals. Kawhi Leonard won the NBA Finals MVP.  We cover the Kevin Durant Achilles injury in a way that nobody has. This has changed the landscape of the NBA and especially this off season.  Also, Klay Thompson tore his ACL in the loss to the Raptors

Injuries have hobbled the Warriors and have played a tremendous role. The Raptors are set to take the crown from wounded Golden State..yet will KD comeback and save his team from an ominous ending? Free agency rumors about Kyrie and more. 

The Raptors look to spoil to take down the Champions: what we need to look at on both sides. The Lakers on- going saga continues. The Rockets look to change things up. And why Kawhi Leonard is a legend!

Magic Johnson opens up about the Lakers mess and his quitting. The Warriors handle the Blazers readily while the Bucks and Raptors are in a full on war! The draft lottery makes the Knicks fans crazy.

The Raptors and K. Leonard advanced by one of the best shots in playoff history and we will cover it! Another shocker was the ending of the Trailblazers series where it was supposed to be "DAME-TIME" but it was CJ Time! KD and Kyrie look to be coming to New York. The Lakers are still a mess with their new hire at the head coach position and James Harden disappointed us all. Warriors- Trailblazers are tonight and Draft Lottery is tonight! 

The Houston Rockets Vs. GoldenState Warriors is about as primetime as it gets!  We will get into this as well as the other exciting playoff games. We also will get into Lebron Vs. Magic Johnson and the Lakers mess. Also, Klay is demanding a huge contract from the Warriors this offseason to stay. 

In this episode, Louis touches on the second round matchups and the non-foul call drama that happened to James Harden and the Rockets. The Warriors vs. the Rockets is a heavyweight series, yet let's not sleep on the marquee matchup of the Celtics and the Bucks! This is a big time second round and Louis covers all of the teams and their superstars.

We go over the heavyweight battle of Damian Lillard vs. Russel Westbrook and Damian’s incredible dramatic last second shot! The stage is set for the superstar showdown between Boston and the Bucks, as well as the probable Warriors vs Houston matchup. The playoff brackets are red hot and we are going nuclear in this podcast!