Hard In the Paint with David Grubb

Following a record-breaking NCAA tournament, interest in women's basketball has never been higher. But what's next for the sport? Is this an indicator of true shifting attitudes towards women's athletics, or just a moment in the sun. David Grubb and Kelsey Nicole Nelson discuss the past, present, and future of the sport. Subscribe to HITP Sports on YouTube.

In this episode of Hard in the Paint, David talks with New Orleans radio legend and Pelicans in-house announcer, "Wild Wayne" Benjamin Jr. They discuss the history of NOLA hip-hop, the role of the deejay in music culture, basketball, and their expectations for the Pelicans this season.

We're celebrating a couple of birthdays on HITP, the 48th for host David Grubb and the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip-hop. Perhaps no sport is more linked to a genre of music than NBA basketball is to hip-hop. Boot Krewe Media's Chris Conner joins the show to talk about the relationship between the sport and the music. Opening theme by DJ Dao

For more than a decade Nitty Scott has been making her way in the world of hip-hop. Striking out for New York City at the age of 17, Nitty has gone from someone seeking their place, to someone finding their voice, and now into one of the more unique artists in a genre that still really doesn't know what to do with her. We discuss her journey, her music, and our shared love for hip-hop as it approaches its 50th birthday. Opening theme by DJ Dao

"Student'-athlete" doesn't even begin to describe Sion James. The Tulane basketball star is excelling on the court and making a difference off of it. He's the first Green Wave athlete and first men's basketball player to serve as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, he won the American Athletic Conference's sportsmanship award, and he's the COO of a New Orleans-area non-profit. This is his story.

David Grubb is joined by legendary New Orleans sportscaster and journalist Ro Brown as they discuss the complicated legacy of Jim Brown. Brown dominated on the field, and worked to change the country off of it, becoming an icon in the process. What do we take away from his life and how do we accurately preserve the history of our heroes?

The NBA has reached the final four of one of the strangest postseasons in recent memory. Who have been the biggest surprises and disappointments of the playoffs? Who is the favorite to take the title now? David Grubb and Ronald Agers answer those questions and more in a comprehensive look at the playoffs so far. HITP on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gBxa6wg2Xy4

The Heisman Trophy is one of the most storied awards in all of sports, but only once has the Heisman Trust taken a statue back...In this edition of HITP, David talks with Paddy Cotter of Underdog Originals about the flawed NCAA investigation and the latest in Bush's quest to get his Heisman back. Underdog Originals on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ur-O56w1btw HITP Sports Media on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vJwH6xBXCRE

In this episode of HITP, David Grubb talks with Jackson Fager, director/producer of the HULU documentary series Algiers, America; a chronicle of the trials and tribulations facing the Edna Karr High School football program. He is also joined by AJ Samuel, a graduating senior, and the quarterback for the Cougars the last two seasons. Algiers, America debuts Apr. 19 on Hulu and is produced by Andscape in conjunction with ESPN. Opening theme by DJ Dao  

The Dome Patrol (David Grubb, Ross Jackson, Maddy Hudak) assembles for one of their semi-regular conversations to tackle the latest with the New Orleans Saints. They've signed Derek Carr, so what's next for Mickey Loomis, Dennis Allen, Pete Carmichael, the draft and beyond? 

As the New Orleans Pelicans prepare to start a three-game homestand, David Grubb is joined by Oleh Kosel and Chris Conner as they discuss the Pels' tumble since the start of the new year, what the problems are, and possible solutions. 

The New Orleans Pelicans are off to a 3-1 start with one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the NBA. But, do the Pelicans have everything they need for a deep journey into the playoffs? Lito the Gawd of Boot Krewe Media returns to HITP to discuss what we've liked about the start and what potential potholes could be on the road ahead. We talk talent vs. expected roles, and dig in on the mindset of championship teams. Opening theme by DJ Dao

Award-winning NBA Writer Ronald Agers returns to HITP for a two-part preview of the 2022-23 season. In Part II, we move out West. The Western Conference is back to being stacked with the reigning champion Golden State Warriors looking to fend off a number of up-and-coming challengers as well as some old foes looking to hang on to their place atop the standings. Are the Dubs in line for a repeat or is it time for some new blood to make claim to being the best? Opening theme by DJ Dao

Award-winning NBA Writer Ronald Agers returns to HITP for a two-part preview of the 2022-23 season. In Part I, we cover the Eastern Conference. There's plenty of talent, but also plenty of turmoil in the East. Are Giannis and the Bucks set to reclaim their position at the top of the conference, can the Celtics overcome injury and controversy, or is this the year that Joel Embiid and the 76ers finally get to the top? We've got our ideas... Opening theme by DJ Dao

In the season preview edition of Hard In The Paint, David Grubb looks at why expectations are so high this year and just how high he thinks the team will fly. From examining the roster construction, the evolution of the team's Big 3, and just how difficult the Western Conference can be, David hits it all; including his predictions for the team's finish. Opening theme by DJ Dao

Ross Jackson (Locked on Saints) and Maddy Hudak (Saints Wire) are back and The Dome Patrol is here to get your ready as the Saints try to get back to .500 against Joe Burrow and the Bengals on Sunday. We talk about lessons learned from the win over Seattle, which injured players we should and shouldn't expect back, and keys to victory. Opening theme by DJ Dao.

After what felt like the longest offseason in team history, the New Orleans Pelicans (and Zion Williamson) were back on the court Tuesday night in their preseason opener. Chris Conner of Boot Krewe Media joins me as we discuss our expectations for the preseason and what were the real takeaways for the Pels as they prepare for the Pistons on Friday. Opening theme by DJ Dao

Pelicans Scoop writer Terry Kimble makes his HITP debut as we discuss a quiet offseason for the Pels and the big expectations facing the team as they prepare to start training camp. Who makes the biggest leap? Are the Pelicans as deep as they appear? Is this finally Brandon Ingram's team and how does Zion fit in to that? Which player(s) are most likely to be moved? Plenty of questions and we give our best answers. Opening theme by DJ Dao

Expectations for the New Orleans Pelicans are high, but how high should they really be? DG and Chedda Chaz from Boot Krewe Media try to take an objective look at a very talented team that may still be missing a piece or two. We ask and answer some tough questions as training camp approaches. If you've been missing some in-depth basketball conversation, here's your fix.   Opening theme by DJ Dao

Chessa Bouche, sportscaster for NBC 33/Fox 44 in Baton Rouge, joins HITP to give her quick reaction to the Saints' dramatic come from behind victory over the Falcons on Sunday, and her breakdown of LSU's record-breaking win over Southern on Saturday.  Opening theme by DJ Dao

Former LSU Tiger and current broadcaster Marlon Favorite and I look back at LSU's season opening loss to Florida State and ahead to this weekend's historic matchup with Southern. What can the Tigers build on and what problems stood out? We let you know.  

NOLA.com New Orleans Pelicans beat writer Christian Clark returns to HITP to talk the latest with the Pels. Rundown: Impact of the Donovan Mitchell trade (00:45); Pelicans reunited and re-adjusting to Zion (4:57); Laguna Beach (10:20); Jax/Trey working at PF (12:06); Offensive/Defensive strategy (14:49); Dyson Daniels (21:03); The luxury of depth (26:42); The Wild West (32:33); Bally Sports (37:13); Reviewing the Tim Donaghy/Manti Te'o Docs (42:29). Opening theme by DJ Dao

The one and only Bryan Bienemy is back and as unfiltered as ever, as we break down the New Orleans Saints before the 2022 season, and dip into some NOLA politics as well.  Rundown: CJGJ trade (00:41); Saints front office strategy (5:41); Jameis Winston (10:09); The change from Sean Payton to Dennis Allen (15:14); O-Line questions (23:55); Closing the book on Ian (26:46); Offensive weapons galore (35:22); Where's the respect nationally? (40:46); Total Recall in NOLA (47:05) Opening theme by DJ Dao

Multi-talented journalist Kyle T. Mosley (Saints News, HBCU Legends, Pelicans Scoop) joins HITP to get you a status report on the Black & Gold at the conclusion of preseason. We also look at the state of HBCU football and start previewing the upcoming Pelicans season. This one gets deep. Rundown: Saints Offensive Line (2:30); Roster cuts (7:45); Maturation of Jameis Winston (11:00); Dennis Allen makes his imprint (15:00); NFC Outlook (26:00); HBCU Football (34:42); Competing with the big boys (44:00); Building the infrastructure at HBCUs (49:45); Pelicans preseason optimism (64:17); The stacked Western Conference/Roster needs and wants (68:08); Zion's return (77:00). Opening theme by DJ Dao

Pelicans fan and DJ Katie Alongi, AKA Pretty Nasty, joins HITP to talk about her love of basketball, the growth of the “Pels 12”, hopes for the upcoming season, and her burgeoning music career. Rundown: Falling in love with the game (2:22); Pelicans finding an identity and a city finding a team (7:30); The Pels 12 (11:14); Looking ahead to the season (17:09); Favorite player (27:47); The Wild Western Conference (32:25); The birth of Pretty Nasty (35:01) Opening theme by DJ Dao

HITP welcomes Sports Illustrated NFL writer Conor Orr as we discuss his recent cover story on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, the big dollars being shelled out for wide receivers, and the latest with Deshaun Watson. Rundown: Burrow's unlikely rise (2:00); What makes Burrow tick? (7:00); Bengals season outlook (14:30); Burrow's relationship with Zac Taylor (18:30); Wide receivers getting paid (25:30); Deshaun Watson (36:30) Opening theme by DJ Dao

In this edition of HITP, Bally Sports NBA Insider Brandon Robinson and I talk about his career in sports that started when he was a pre-teen and take a deep dive into the NBA offseason, make some predictions for the coming season, and even discuss the latest with the NBA2K video game franchise.  Opening theme by DJ Dao

Sports Law attorney Dan Lust returns to HITP to give the latest on a number of legal issues in the world of sports, breaking it down as only he can. Deshaun Watson (1:38), Alvin Kamara and NFL Discipline (20:00), Britney Griner (32:36), Big Ten TV Deal (37:29), Man'Ti Teo Documentary (43:45) Opening theme by DJ Dao

From 1989 to 1993, three players ruled high school basketball in New Orleans; Cohen's Duane Spencer, John Ehret's Rayshard Allen, and Newman's Randy Livingston. Between them, they won six state titles, an AAU national championship, and numerous All-America honors. I brought them together to take a look back at their accomplishments, their influences, and their legacies.  Opening theme by DJ Dao

Last week former LSU basketball great Clarence Ceasar joined HITP for the first time, and he's back again. Another former Tiger, running back Harvey Williams shared some stories about his time in Baton Rouge and Ceasar says Harvey may have stretched the truth...and then some. This one has Shaq, dorm fights, Dale Brown in a robe, and a love triangle. Enjoy! Opening theme by DJ Dao

Sportswriter Ron Agers returns to Hard in the Paint to break down what's been happening in the NBA since the Warriors claimed the title last month. In Part I we discuss abandoning our Knicks fandom after nearly four decades; trade demands; and Minnesota going all in on Rudy Gobert. Opening theme by DJ Dao

From 1991-95, Clarence Ceasar made a name for himself as a talented shooter and one of the top defenders in the SEC. In our conversation we discuss: his start in Iowa, La.; playing with and against the best high school and college basketball players of his era; Shaq; his relationship with LSU today; and going from basketball player to football dad. Opening theme by DJ Dao 

With rookies ready to report in just five days Ross Jackson, host of the Locked on Saints podcast, joins me as we discuss his preparations for training camp, the Saints' offseason, position battles to watch, Alvin Kamara's place in NFL history, and more. The Dome Patrol is back! Opening theme by DJ Dao

My good friend Chris Conner joins HITP as we hit on some serious and not so serious topics around the game of basketball. A look ahead to what next year could hold for the Pelicans, thoughts on the NBA in general, and the new culture of media and fan engagement that's growing in the Crescent City. Opening by DJ Dao

Edna Karr High School helped shape the person that I am today. Our school motto, "Second to None," is something that many of us share with pride. Today, one of the best examples of that is walking the hallways of the school and the sidelines of the practice fields. Brice Brown is arguably the most successful high school football coach in Louisiana. His influence extends even further. We talked about the game of football and about life in this episode of HITP. Opening theme by DJ Dao

Reunited...like Wu-Tang, me and "The Dean" give our breakdown of the Pelicans in the postseason before looking back at the development of the rookies, the performance of the Willie Green in Year One, the emergence of Brandon Ingram as a leader, and what the future may hold.

Lito the Gawd, co-host of Pro Pels Talk and host of The Gawd Cast, joins HITP for the first time as we break down the Pelicans' playoff series from every angle. We discuss rotations, adjustments, and what it's going to take for the Pels to upset the NBA's best team. We also take a look at what the implications of this series could be for the franchise, win or lose. 

A great conversation with Kenny Murphy Jr., the father of New Orleans Pelicans rookie forward Trey Murphy III. Get his insights and observations on Trey's growth since picking up the game at age five up to and throughout his rookie season in the NBA.  Opening theme by DJ Dao

HITP welcomes back award-winning journalist and broadcaster Kelsey Nicole Nelson to discuss a wide range of topics including how conversations are shaped in sports broadcasting; how the NFL and MLB are handling their latest crises; the changing landscape of HBCU sports; and the controversy surrounding Grambling's attempted hire of Art Briles.

In Part III of my ongoing conversation regarding Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL, I welcome sports journalist Dawn Montgomery. Dawn and I discuss the optics of the first week following the filing of the suit, the public case for and against Coach Flores, and ask some hard questions of each other about the NFL and what progress should look like. Opening theme by DJ Dao

In part two of my ongoing conversation about Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL, I speak with attorney and sports law professor Dan Lust. We break down what's in Flores' complaint, what's on his side, the obstacles, and the grey areas that will help determine the outcome of the suit.  Opening theme by DJ Dao

In part one of a series of conversations regarding the lawsuit brought by former Dolphins coach Brian Flores against the NFL, New York Giants, and Denver Broncos, I spoke with Black sports journalists from around the country to get their reactions. My panel of Shaquira Martin, Naomi Grey, Malcolm Carter, and I discuss what this current lawsuit means, beyond the legal implications, to us as Black people and as professionals within the sports industry.  Opening theme by DJ Dao

The New Orleans Saints came up short of their goal of reaching the playoffs for the 5th straight season, but this year wasn't a lost won for the Black & Gold. Ross Jackson, Maddy Hudak, and I take a look back on why the 2021 Saints will hold a special place in team history, and what this season could mean going forward. Opening theme by DJ Dao

The New Orleans Pelicans are halfway through the 2021-22 season. There have been some highs and tremendous lows on the path to 14-26. Now, some serious decisions have to be made about Zion Williamson, and the roster built for him as New Orleans chases a play in tournament bid. Chris Conner, from The Bird Writes, joins me to talk about what's happening on the court and how the Pels should approach their roster with the trade deadline looming. Opening theme by DJ Dao

With one game remaining in the regular season, the New Orleans Saints are somehow within reach of the playoffs. Ross Jackson and I discuss the highs, lows, what making the postseason would mean, and how the Saints will approach the finale with the Falcons. Opening theme by DJ Dao

Ross Jackson and I are joined once again by Maddy Hudak as we get caught up with the Saints with six games remaining in the regular season. Saints fans expected struggles, but what can we really make of the Who Dats at 5-6? What can the team do with Taysom Hill under center, and can the Saints right the ship at home against the Cowboys?

The New Orleans Pelicans are 1-9. What, you thought we were going to let that slide? 

Ross Jackson and I welcome Saints reporter Maddy Hudak to the group as we discuss the highs and lows of the New Orleans Saints' first five games. Where has the team surpassed expectations and where can it improve? 

As we start season 3 of HITP, it's only right that the first episode welcomes back Ross Jackson, my brother in the Dome Patrol, as we talk about the storybook start for the Saints in Week 1. It's good to be home! Opening by DJ Dao

Dino "The Dean" Hanson and I break down the New Orleans Pelicans in the aftermath of the firing of Stan Van Gundy. What's the plan now, and how quickly can the Pelicans fix their problems? We take a look at everything from the front office, to the coaching search, and the players themselves. We sort through the mess and give you some hope. Opening by DJ Dao

After a lengthy hiatus, Dino Hanson and I reunite for another edition of Hi/Lo, where we recap the Pelicans' season, examine the roster heading into the offseason, the short-term outlook for the franchise. David Griffin says he knows what's missing, but can he find it out there? That and our thoughts on the NBA playoffs and more. Opening theme by DJ Dao