Herenda's Agenda

Joined The Dave Smith Show to talk NBA on The Mightier 1090 ESPN Radio -So Cal Sports Talk and Sports Map radio.

Talking Hoophall West high school hoops and the NBA on my weekly appearance on The Dave Smith Show on The Mightier 1090 and Sports Map Radio.

Talking NBA on The Mightier 1090 and Sports Map Radio with Dave Smith including DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls early-season success.

The Kings firing Luke Walton was not a surprise as we discussed on Friday on local radio KFBK in California's capital city. And the problems with turning around a franchise that last appeared in the playoffs before the iPhone run deep. I took a deep dive on The Dave Smith Show on The Mightier 1090 and Sports Map Radio on Sunday night and talked a little Lakers too. What do you think? Is Alvin Gentry, the interim coach, the answer? I have some ideas on Coach Gentry and some other intriguing candidates. Stay tuned.

Covering a lot of NBA territory on The Dave Smith Show on The Mightier 1090 and Sports Map Radio on Sunday night.

Joined The Dave Smith Show to talk all things NBA on Sunday night on The Mightier 1090 and Sports Map Radio.

Joined the LA Clippers radio network, and host Adam Auslund after the Clips win over OKC on Monday night.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin emphatically shuts down college coaching scuttlebutt displaying uncommon and welcome authenticity.

Joined Dave Smith on his show on The Mighty 1090 and Sports Map Radio breaking down the first week of the NBA season.

What's your strategy when leading by three points and defending with under ten seconds on the clock? Let me know.

Dusty Baker's one win away from an opportunity to compete for an elusive World Series Championship as a manager.

Discussing one of the big storylines of the Warriors season that began last evening with a road win against the Lakers.

Joe Namath, Joey "CoCo" Diaz, Joyce Randolph, and Steve Clifford on Herenda's Agenda.

LOS ANGELES -- Joined Patrick Creighton to discuss the evening's NBA Playoff basketball matchups and the recent inappropriate fan behavior on Sports Map Radio.

Joined Adam Auslund on the LA Clippers radio network after the Clips beat the Portland Trailblazers 133-116 Tuesday night.

Discussed the Clippers bounce-back win in Dallas with Adam Auslund on AM 570 LA Sports and the Clippers radio network with host Adam Auslund.

LOS ANGELES -- Collin Sexton's career-high 42 points in Cleveland's double-overtime win over the Nets overshadowed the debut of Brooklyn's "Big Three" of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. And there was one play that stood out. The Nets leading by 3 with 10.7 seconds to go in the first overtime watched Sexton's putback -- unabated and without a box out from nearby Irving and Harden -- that set the stage for more heroics from the Cavs guard. A defensive rebound there, and it's likely Brooklyn wins game one of the two-game set. After two Durant free throws, Brooklyn led by three points with just under nine seconds on the clock. However, the Nets did not foul Sexton -- a 50 percent 3-point field goal shooter -- before his successful 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left that sent the game to an extra session. Sexton also scored 20 consecutive points through the two overtimes without a Nets defensive adjustment beyond their switch-everything D. And you knew going in the Alabama product is legit -- shooting a combined -- field goal, 3-point field goal, and free throw -- 180 percent while averaging a career-high 27 points per game. "He (Sexton) got hot at the right time so hats off to him," Nets first-year coach Steve Nash said postgame and also admitted, "We have to defend better." It's only one game. "Never too high, never too low" is a league mantra to live by. However, Nash and his staff must address a question we raised last week and amplified in game one of the "Big Three": "Will the ultra-talented Nets defend, get deflections, 50-50 balls, blocks, stops, rebounds, and take charges with tenacity?" For Brooklyn, the sooner, the better.

LOS ANGELES -- After a 2-6 start, the Grizzlies have won five straight after yesterday's 4-point win versus the Suns, eclipsing .500 for the first time this season. Memphis's reserves contributed 49 points -- nearly half of their total offense -- even with rookie Xavier Tillman starting for Jonas Valancunias, who was out due to health and safety protocols. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Justise Winslow have yet to appear this season due to injury, and the Grizzlies went 4-4 without last season's Rookie of the Year Ja Morant before his early return from a sprained ankle two games ago. Despite the injuries, Memphis is fourth in defensive rating and 5-4 in clutch games -- reflecting the continued terrific work of second-year head coach Taylor Jenkins and his staff. The ability to adapt and find ways to win are valuable traits as the Grizzlies playoff quest continues.

LOS ANGELES -- "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools," Martin Luther King Jr. said. His quote has never been more important. I'm not sure how to fix everything, but I have one idea. "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change," Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Planck proclaimed. If we truly look at each other as brothers and sisters as Dr. King encouraged us to do, perhaps there'd be less to fix.

LOS ANGELES -- Watching the Grizzlies win over the Cavs on Monday night, it dawned on me. During crunch time, offenses were running through the bigs -- Jonas Valunciunas and Andre Drummond, respectively, until the coup de grace -- a Dillon Brooks 3-pointer. The importance of centers in the league has come into question with the proliferation of the 3. Hmm. That's interesting. Nikola Jokic leads the league in assists and triple-doubles. Joel Embiid scored 45-points in the Sixers overtime win over Miami on Tuesday night. James Wiseman's development battling league-leading block shot artist Myles Turner (4.2), the previously mentioned Joker, and Chris Boucher is riveting. Boucher has scored 20 or more in three of his last four, via 65 percent from the floor up from career averages of seven points and 49 percent. Christian Wood inspires all undrafted players scoring 27 points and securing 15 rebounds in the revamped Rockets win at San Antonio last night. Without scratching the surface on their defensive impact, those are just a few observations. "The rumors of my demise have been highly exaggerated," Mark Twain said, and so it can be said of big men in the NBA.

LOS ANGELES -- Brooklyn’s now star-laden solidified with James Harden, Kevin Durant, and first-time coach Steve Nash -- all MVPs and Kyrie Irving -- who along with Durant has something on the resume that Harden and the coach aspire to -- NBA Champion. Inheriting a bleak Brooklyn milieu, Nets GM Sean Marks got the franchise into the playoffs with grit via coach Kenny Atkinson and players like Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen, who are gone. Two key questions emerge -- -- one tangible and the other philosophical -- vis-à-vis Brooklyn’s culture: Will the ultra-talented Nets defend, get deflections, 50-50 balls, blocks, stops, rebounds, and take charges with tenacity? Will the sustained sacrifice, accountability, chemistry, and commitment that will determine Brooklyn’s fate be embraced systematically throughout the roster? Some of the best moves in life are the ones you never make, and Marks wants to be holding The Larry O’Brien trophy and not reflecting on that mantra.

“We’re just not good enough . . . this situation is crazy,” James Harden said after Houston’s loss last night to the Lakers. The Rockets (3-6) have dropped four of five, and over that span, Harden is averaging just 17.4 points while shooting 38 percent overall, 26 percent from 3-point range, and only attempting five free throws per game well below his average of 12 last season. The former MVP's trade demand hasn’t helped the Rockets leverage in securing their perception of fair market value in exchange for Harden. One can only wonder if handled privately if both parties would have what they wanted by now. Houston would be developing its new identity under first-time head coach Stephen Silas with the talent secured in exchange for the eight-time All-Star plus Christian Wood, John Wall, and DeMarcus Cousins. And Harden would have his fresh start. “It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed,” Harden added last night. So the public divorce continues with it unlikely the three-time NBA scoring leader or Rockets management humming Gloria Gaynor’s R&B tune, “Let’s Mend What’s Been Broken” anytime soon.

“The NBA is a game of adaptation and change, “ Magic head coach Steve Clifford has said, and it’s true on and off the floor more than ever due to the pandemic. The league and the player’s association released additions to its health and safety protocols today due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the US and the increase within the NBA. The tightening now looks to create in-market bubbles to mitigate the virus. While it’s impossible to replicate the success of the Orlando bubble, once again the league -- players, teams, governors, and all constituencies are not being stagnant. Health and safety for all are paramount, and the NBA, as it did before won’t hesitate to take a pause -- but if the season has to be interrupted it won’t be because the league didn’t follow Clifford’s mantra of “adaptation and change.”

“You’re only as good as your last shot,” Suns analyst Eddie Johnson said the other night, and closing games at winning time is vital. Basketball Reference recently shared a list of players that have made shots in the final ten seconds of regulation or overtime to tie or take the lead over the last few seasons. Hall of Famer Hubie Brown says that the toughest thing to do in the NBA is to decide who your closer is, and defines the role: Does the player want the shot? Can the player make the shot? Can the player make free throws? Can the player pass out of a trap? If nothing, can the player create for himself or herself? Feel free to peruse the list to identify the closers on your squad and the opposition but as Johnson reminded us, and like the financial disclaimer -- past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.

LOS ANGELEs -- The Mavericks won in overtime in Denver last night propelled Luka Doncic’s 38-point near triple-double. At face value, it’s a solid road win but is it a sign of deeper significance? Last season, Dallas struggled to finish games: 3-4 in OT games last year 1-0 this year 35-11 when leading after the Q3 last year 3-0 this year 17-24 in clutch games 1-2 this year 2-11 in games decided by 3 points or less last year 0-0 this year The Mavericks are off to a 4-4 start and are playing 11 of their first 16 games on the road so don’t fret the early turbulence. While their league-leading offensive rating last year has dropped to 16th, Kristaps Porzingis is expected back soon and their bench is averaging 40 points per game. Here’s good news -- Dallas is tenth in defensive rating up from 18th a season ago and just a side note -- the NBA has seen only two champions outside of the top ten in defensive efficiency in the last 20 years. This is an area you have to be in if you’re serious about winning. The offense will be fine. Ultimately, the Mavs ability to contest in the West will boil down to their defense and ability to close out games like last night.

These are unsettling times. Amongst the chaos and cacophony, it was soothing to hear Hubie Brown breaking down the Celtics - Heat game last night. When I lost my Dad unexpectedly when I was twelve and he was fifty -- basketball became a refuge and so it remains now. Athletics brings us all together, teaches us to respect and honor teammates and opponents, and also to accept constructive feedback from coaches, and ultimately handle success or failure that the scoreboard reflects. The fields, courts, stands, and locker rooms are places where we gain a deep understanding that our collective strength lies in our diversity, that mutual respect for all is paramount. "Golf is the game closest to the game we call life," Bobby Jones said. "You get bad breaks from good shots, and good breaks from bad shots -- but you have to play the ball as it lies." Unfortunately, it seems like these life lessons have been missed when we need them more than ever. However, my hope is that we realize -- in a hurry -- that we're all on the same team, and that social justice and racial equality immediately prevail. I'm naive. Saying, "in a hurry" and "immediately" prove it. But what else do we have to root for?

Basketball can be explained in 22 words. Offense in 12 words: Give and go Pick and roll or pop Pass and screen away And defense in 10 words: Ball pressure Ball you man Hit find go get it I’d be remiss to not acknowledge Al LoBalbo as the originator of, “Ball, you, man” and Tom Izzo’s adage, “Hit, find, go get it,” when a shot goes up. For all the analytics, which have their place, still, we must not be guilty of obfuscation -- making the simple complex. Basketball ain’t that easy but it ain’t that hard either. “Rome wasn’t built in a day” but it got built. And so it is with successful basketball program builders that focus on the basics.

Five of their first seven games on the road, winning four of their last five, the Knicks are 4-3, and they're in the top ten in the NBA in defensive rating under Tom Thibodeau. Julius Randle is averaging career-highs in points, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, rebounds, assists -- up from 2.9 to a magnanimous 7.4 per game, and minutes. Randle and RJ Barrett combined for 54 points, and rookie Immanuel Quickley led all fourth-quarter scorers with 10 points including five free throws down the stretch in last night’s win in Atlanta. “Playing hard in the NBA is a skill,” and Austin Rivers exemplified it with around a minute and a half to go -- draining a clutch 3-pointer and then drawing a charge on Trae Young. “I love the fight in our team,” Thibs said postgame. It’s early but Knicks fans love the fight, and if sustained they’ll love it even more.

“Was last night’s win via Curry’s heroics truly an early-season turning point for a team trying to find it?” Only the Warriors can answer that question beginning tonight in the second of a back-to-back hostIng the Kings in a battle of 3-3 squads.

The Magic were the last undefeated team in the NBA -- 4-0 for the first time in franchise history before a New Year’s Eve loss to the Sixers. Head coach Steve Clifford, according to Hubie Brown, is “one of the great teachers in our game.” His past and present point guard pupils: Kemba Walker’s All-Star ascent Former Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-Williams’ resurgence Former number one overall draft pick Markelle Fultz’s renaissance -- averaging career highs in points, assists, and minutes Rookie Cole Anthony owns a 3.8 assist-to-turnover ratio while averaging 10 points a few games into his career Cliff’s teams are known around the league for their preparedness, stingy defense, low turnovers -- not necessarily for their offense. However, if Fultz achieves sustained provocateur status around Nikola Vucevic Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Terence Ross, et al, and the Magic offense percolates, under Clifford’s tutelage Orlando could be next-level dangerous.

Becky Hammon became the first woman to coach an NBA team last night after Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter of the Spurs’ loss to the Lakers. The Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe are hiring Bianca Smith as a minor league coach becoming the first-ever black female coach in baseball history. Hammon is likely to be an NBA head coach soon and Smith is trailblazing the way for MLB’s first female manager. Both stories point to a more inclusive and improved future! Happy New Year!

One week into the NBA season, the Magic, Hawks, Cavs, and Kings are off to auspicious starts.

Dame Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 51 points in a Blazers win over the Lakers Monday but that’s not the story. Portland’s recipe for surpassing the defending champs -- defense, rebounding, and depth -- is. Robert Covington held Anthony Davis to 13 points, LeBron James had 29 but “felt” Derrick Jones Jr. The Blazers outrebounded LA and Gary Trent Jr.’s 28 -- led a 45-23 bench scoring advantage. Pluvial December “Hollywood Nights” don’t define NBA success but it’s a start.

LOS ANGELES -- Longtime Utah Jazz assistant coach and current Jazz Radio Network studio analyst, Gordie Chiesa joined Herenda's Agenda in a wide-ranging conversation covering the NBA reconvening in Orlando. We look at title contenders -- the Lakers sans Avery Bradley, the depth of the Clippers under Doc Rivers, and in the East are the Raptors the sleeper team and are the Bucks built for the postseason and a championship run? We also talk about expectations for the Jazz. We compare and contrast NBA basketball in the regular season versus the playoffs -- what it takes to win a championship and conversely how to rebuild a franchise, e.g., the New York Knick?. We also touch on the Golden State Warriors and Chiesa shares his outlook on the likelihood of Golden State returning to an elite level of play. What is the first thing Coach Chiesa looks at in a box score and what adjustments are necessary in the NBA to create, sustain, and survive runs? Coaching, of course, is covered as Gordie elaborates on the many coaching influences in his life and his recent tweet on "elite coaches" in the modern era. How do coaches distill information to ensure players incorporate on the floor what's necessary for individual and team success when there is so much data available including advanced analytics, stats, and video? We also talked about Coach Chiesa's 16-years as an assistant under the late Jerry Sloan, the John Stockton-Karl Malone tandem, all orchestrated by Frank Laden plus battling the Bulls in the NBA Finals on two occasions and Coach's reaction to ESPN's "Last Dance" documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

Covered my Dad the late Anthony Herenda, my grandfather "Bad Bill" Bergin, my great Uncle Tony Callandriello, Babe Ruth, "Cinderella Man" James J. Braddock from my North Bergen, NJ neighborhood in Hudson County & Ken O’Brien in segment one and the NBA in segment two on Father's Day with Dave Smith on SB Nation Radio.

One of basketball's greatest innovators, Vance Walberg, Founding Father of the Dribble Drive Motion Offense discusses his coaching path, philosophy and what future trends he sees.

San Francisco Bay Area play-by-play broadcaster, TV and radio personality, actor, fitness coach, and ballroom dancing champion, Dave Lewis joins Herenda's Agenda to talk about his career, relationship with Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce, his work with Sacramento State football, St. Mary's Gaels basketball and much more.

LOS ANGELES -- Joyce Randolph was born in Detroit, Michigan before moving to New York City and embarking upon an epic acting career that included playing the role of Trixie Norton on the iconic and venerable TV show, “The Honeymooners.” Joyce and her cast members including Art Carney, who played her husband sewer worker Ed Norton, Audrey Meadows who portrayed Alice Kramden, and Jackie Gleason, who played Ralph Kramden a bus driver, have delighted, entertained and produced enduring laughter for audiences since the mid-'50s who have embraced and loved the Kramden’s and the Norton’s — friends and neighbors from Bensonhurst Brooklyn. Here's my conversation with Joyce Randolph.

The @sacramentoKings weren't the only ones who struggled on January 23, 2015, when Klay Thompson of the @Warriors went for a record-setting 37 points in the third quarter. On NBC Sports Bay Area, I had voice issues on Kings Pregame Live making for interesting live television with @GuyHaberman and @TheBobbyJackson. Posting this as NBC Sports Bay Area re-aired this game on Wednesday night.

Talking coronavirus impact on NBA & Life on SB Nation Radio by Bill Herenda

Talked the impact of the coronavirus NBA and college hoops with Dave Smith on SB Nation Radio.

Marrying analytics & old school maxims with nuggets from @timcapstraw @gchiesaohmy & @hellooojack & great intro & wrap by @teerayharvey & terrific @ESPN production via @courtney_sweet & @mishalauren @bknetsradio @timcapstrawbasketballcamp @utahjazz @raptors

Talking NBA with Dave Smith on SB Nation Radio.

Covered the NBA with Dave Smith: Gordon Hayward's injury and the effect on the Celtics The Lakers scintillating start Load management The Raptors injuries to Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka Paul George soon to be on the floor with the Clippers Brandon Ingram's emergence in New Orleans s well as Shai Gilgeous -Alexander's stellar play in OKC Golden State's clarity after its rash of injuries

Discussed the first week of the NBA season with Dave Smith on SB Nation Radio.

Discussed the latest NBA news on and off the court on SB Nation Radio on Monday night with Dave Smith.

Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford is back on the agenda! :53 What strengths do you want to amplify with this squad and where do you want to see improvement? 1:46 Clifford on culture and turnarounds -- plus 17 wins in Orlando in first season there and plus 22 wins in first season in Charlotte. 3:19 Clifford on Magic personnel -- Nikola Vucevich, Terrence Ross, Michael Carter-Williams, Khem Birch et al 4:26 Four Magic players -- Vucevich, Birch, Evan Fournier and Al-Farouq Aminu -- are playing in the World Cup. How does that impact training camp and preparation for the upcoming season? 5:31 Depth at point guard position -- D.J. Augustin, Michael Carter-Williams and Markelle Fultz update? 6:40 Clifford on coaching young players with oodles of talent in the NBA but perhaps less fundamentals when they arrive in the league 8:33 Clifford on distilling information for players to succeed through all of the noise - analytics, size of NBA coaching staffs, individual coaches and trainers that players have plus off the court stuff including social media. 10:07 Jonathon Isaac HoopsHype interview with Alex Kennedy -- how gratifying is it when your message sticks with players? 11:17 Clifford shares more on "positional size and versatility" including Aaron Gordon, Wes Iwundu and Mo Bamba. Plus the importance of two-way players. 12:35 Clifford discusses the systemic roster communication. “10 of you are going to love me…3 of you are going to hate me. All of you are going to learn to be men of character, & play in the NBA 10+ years.”— Earl Watson quoting Hubie Brown to a young Grizzlies team (2002-2003) on the Maybe I'm Crazy with Joy Taylor podcast. 14:16 Clifford's reading recommendations on coaching, leadership, and success? 15:37 Clifford reacts to an Oscar Wilde quote

Dr. Charlie Maher is the Sport Psychologist and Senior Director of Personal and Organizational Performance for the Cleveland Indians and he discussed peak performance on Herenda's Agenda. (Charlie's full bio is below.) 1:22 "Baseball isn't who I am; it's what I do." 2:53 Charlie reacts to Joe Namath on having a positive vision & attitude in the equation of peak performance. 4:23 Malcom Gladwell's 10,000 hour rule & process versus results. 6:56 Tangible steps to overcoming setbacks 8:48 Adjusting to next level performance -- tangible steps. 11:35 Justin Tucker & Alex Honnold --are guys like that wired differently? 13:30 Why is it difficult to stay in the moment? Is it sign of times due to social media & other distractions? 14:39 Charlie on team culture including the Cleveland Indians. 16:52 How to thrive in dysfunctional environments? 18:05 Elevator pitch on achieving & sustaining peak performance regardless of chosen endeavor — athletics, business, or performing arts -- given we’re all human? Charles A. Maher, PsyD, CMPC, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University. Charlie possesses over 30 years of sustained professional experience in sport psychology and performance enhancement at individual, team, and organizational levels in baseball, basketball, football, hockey, tennis, boxing, horse racing, other sports, the performing arts, and with corporate entities. Currently, Charlie is Sport Psychologist and Senior Director of Personal and Organizational Performance for the Cleveland Indians, positions that he has held since 1995. Charlie has a published a number of books and journal articles, both within and outside of the sport psychology domain, with his most recent book being, The Complete Mental Game of Baseball: Taking Charge of the Process, On and Off the Field.

Joe Namath is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, the erstwhile NY Jets Super Bowl Champion QB, and an American Icon and he’s got a new book out — All the Way: My Life in Four Quarters. Joe joined my podcast Herenda's Agenda and talked about the current Jets and QB Sam Darnold, Andrew Luck's retirement, Tom Brady's longevity, his alma mater Alabama and also about his book and acting career too. Here's a timeline of the chat: :43 How Joe felt writing his new book -- All the Way: My Life in Four Quarters reminiscing about his career and life 1:50 Serendipitous meeting with Ken O'Brien and how his book can impact people 3:58 Expectations for Alabama and the New York Jets 5:38 Joe's thoughts on the current Jets QB Sam Darnold 8:00 Andrew Luck's retirement 9:14 Tom Brady's ability and durability 11:40 Root of Joe's optimism and positive vision 13:04 Joe on another type of performing -- acting 16:30 Joe shares an interesting anecdote on audio version of his new book -- All the Way: My Life in Four Quarters

Whitey Gleason talks the latest DeMarcus Cousins injury, the Lakers, Warriors, Kings, Timberwolves as well as Mets, Padres, A's and Giants, Niners and Raiders. The longtime on-air personality also shares advice for aspiring broadcasters.

My neighborhood buddy and legend Tommy Paker joined Herenda's Agenda to talk the home, hoops, and horses plus the Mets too.