Hoopdarshan

In a must-win qualifying game against Palestine, Amritpal Singh posted 32 points and 12 rebounds to secure a dramatic comeback victory for India. Now, the Punjabi big man joins Hoopdarshan to look ahead at the FIBA Asia Cup, share how he remained sharp during the Lockdown, and reminisce his time with the NBL in Australia. Hosted by Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok. 

After years of perseverance, Pune-based Pritish Kokate found his dream come true in true 'filmi' fashion to become one of the recruits in the prestigious NBA Academy India. Kokate joins Hoopdarshan 108 to speak to Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok about his hoops journey, the Coco On Air podcast, and to discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo's legacy after the amazing NBA Finals. 

To preview the unlikely, unfortunate, unprecedented NBA Finals, we welcome to Hoopdarshan Episode 107 Shivam Patel, one half of the Patel and Kumar NBA Show. Patel joins hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok to discuss the main storylines, everything from CP3 to Giannis, Booker to Middleton, Steve Nash to Lew Alcindor. Who'll be raising the banner when it's all over? 

Earlier this month, Mizoram teenager Lalhnehpuia Chhakchhuak, announced his commitment to the North Park University in Chicago, Illinois, becoming the latest in the line of student-athletes from the NBA Academy India to take their talents to the USA. In Episode 106 of Hoopdarshan, Chhakchhuak joins co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok to discuss what made him choose North Park, the growing popularity of Mizo Basketball, and how he plans to elevate his game to the next level. 

Over the past few years, the NBA Academy India has helped a number of bright Indian prospects take the next leap into placements abroad, include G-League's Princepal Singh, Amaan Sandhu, Riyanshu Negi, and more. Director of NBA India's Basketball Operations Marc Pulles joins Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok on Hoopdarshan to discuss his grassroots work in India, Princepal's improvements, and coaching Luka Doncic. 

Eight First Round Series. Eight BIG Questions. In Episode 104 of Hoopdarshan, NBA expert Akshay Manwani joins Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok to discuss the end-of-season award winners and help preview the playoffs with the most pressing questions of the First Round: How many Wizards does it take to stop Embiid? What does Giannis do to jump up the next level? Who is the second-best Maverick? And lots, lots more. 

Princepal Singh became the third Indian to play in the G-League. Last month, Mirin Fader wrote a story on The Ringer about Princepal, his journey from Punjab to the G-League Ignite, and more. Fader joins us on Episode 103 of the Indian basketball podcast, Hoopdarshan to give the story behind the story: her impressions of Princepal, his current situation, and her research into Punjabi pinni. Plus, she shares details from her highly-anticipated biography of the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Hosted by Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok  

Team India captain Vishesh Bhriguvanshi returns to Hoopdarshan to discuss his miraculous game-winner in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers against Iraq, his dream come true with the Arjuna Award, his recent biography, and that viral ‘pawri’ video.

The 2021 NBA All Stars have already been named, and of course, we have some thoughts to share. Hoopdarshan Episode 101 features co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok in conversation with Ashwin Gopinath, co-host of the Ball is Bae podcast, to discuss the names that made it, the names that didn't, and answer some questions about what have gotten right and wrong in the NBA season so far. 

It's episode 100! A time for the Hoopdarshan, India's truest basketball podcast, to celebrate our century. In this landmark episode, co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok discuss the podcast's highlights over the past 5 years, interview Indian baskebtall's Padma Shri awardee Anitha Paul Durai, and add the film Chhalaang to the Indian Basketball Movie Database. 

A true hoops lifer, Aparna Rajkumar has been the voice behind many of top Indian basketball broadcast over the years, commenting on national and international tournaments and hosting India's top women's players on her online show, 'Stree Got Game'. Rajkumar joins Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok on the Hoopdarshan podcast to discuss basketball broadcasting in country, challenges faced by India's top female players, watching Magic Johnson on the court, and the Indian women's GOAT.

Gautam Kapur, the Associate Manager of Basketball Strategy at the NBA, spent several months this year in the NBA's "Bubble" in Orlando, helping monitor the league's state-of-the-art healthcare technology. Kapur joins Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok in Episode 98 of Hoopdarshan to share fascinating stories from the Bubble, growing up and playing basketball in India, memories from the NBA India Games, and the Lakers' Butter Chicken connection. 

The Lakers are 2020 NBA Champions! In Episode 97 of Hoopdarshan, Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok invite Vinod Muthukumar - Maharashtra basketball tsar & co-host of the Patel and Kumar NBA Show - to discuss what this championship means in Lakers lore, appreciate LeBron’s consistent greatness, AD’s game-changing addition, Jimmy Butler’s inspiring moments, and more.

It took a lot longer than usual, but the 2020 NBA Finals are finally here! In Episode 96 of Hoopdarshan, hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok welcome Lakers superfan Abhishek Bhardwaj to discuss a number of intriguing storylines including AD vs. Bam, Riley vs. LeBron, Kuzma vs. Herro, Lakers stars vs. Heat Culture, Kobe, Dwight, and much more.  

In Episode 95 of Hoopdarshan, we welcome NBA India editor and writer Yash Matange. Matange discusses the success of recent Indian prospects like Prince Pal Singh, Anna Mary Zachariah, Siya Deodhar and more with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok. Then, we preview the unprecedented NBA Bubble Playoffs, from Dame Time and Lakers Questions to Giannis, Toronto, Nuggets, and more. 

To watch the first-ever NBA India Games in October, Indian basketball superfan and journalist Siddharth Sharma (aks SidBreakBall) embarked on an epic 3-day, 2,000 km bike journey from Kolkata to Mumbai. On Episode 94 of Hoopdarshan, Sharma joins co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok to discuss this wild trip, his memories at the very first NBA preseason game in India, working as a broadcaster for the UBA league, and the hoops scene in Kolkata. 

One of the brightest young stars in Indian basketball, 17-year-old Harsimran 'Hunny' Kaur, joins Episode 93 of Hoopdarshan. The teenager from Kapurthala, Punjab spoke to hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok about joining San Diego State of the NCAA D1, dreams to become the first Indian in the WNBA, and how she finally defeated her father - a former national player - on the court.

On Episode 92, Indo-Canadian baller Bikramjit Gill joins Hoopdarshan from Toronto, where he talks to co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok about staying fit in lockdown, the journey that made him a 3x3 phenom in India, the state of Indian basketball, and how the nickname '6earded King' came about. 

In a pandemic-afflicted world without sport (or any outdoor activity), there is nothing that we needed more than 'The Last Dance' the documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. In Episode 91, we invite indisputably the biggest desi MJ fan on earth - Krossovr founder/CEO Vasu Kulkarni - to discuss his early reactions to the documentary, his memories of becoming an MJ fan, the numerous times he met Michael Jordan in person, plus bonus stories of the Warriors dynasty and David Stern's favourite emoji. 

After spending the last few years 'in the lab', improving his game at the NBA Academy India, 17-year-old 7-footer Amaan Sandhu made his senior national India debut in the winter. In Episode 90 of Hoopdarshan, Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok welcome Sandhu to talk about his rapid improvements, inheriting the hoops-gene from his high-flying father, his plans during the nationwide lockdown, and the world's greatest nickname: Big Baby Punjab.   

Joining hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok in Episode 89 of Hoopdarshan is the great Micah Adams, the NBA Global Managing Editor for DAZN. One of the most astute minds working in the game today, Adams discussed his on/off court experiences from the All Star Weekend in Chicago, the ELAM Ending, Stats vs. Eye-Test, Kobe, his Mumbai trip for the NBA India Games, the Rockets, 76ers, and more. 

Hoopdarshan pays its tributes to the late great black mamba, as they talk about reactions to receiving news of Kobe Bryant's passing before moving on to Episode 88 that was recorded days before the tragedy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the latest episode of the Indian basketball podcast Hoopdarshan, we welcome Norman Swaroop Isaac, India's own FIBA Technical Delegate and Commissioner who has officiated high-level international matches for decades, including the recent FIBA World Cup Final. Isaac speaks to co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok about working a big event like the World Cup, the evolution of international basketball officiating over the years, how to improve the status of Indian basketball, and his own playing days for Andhra Pradesh. 

Join Hoopdarshan in a double-sided bonanza episode, where we wave goodbye to the 2010s by discussing the best of the last ten years. In Part 1, we are joined by Indian basketball writer Gopalakrishnan R. (Ekalavyas) to create India's Men and Women's All-Decade teams. In Part 2, we welcome NBA India expert Akshay Manwani to debate our All-Decade starting fives. It's peak Hoopdarshan, straddling a foot in each of our favourite hooping worlds.     

NBA is back with perhaps the most wide-open season in years. And in this post-NBA India Games era, Hoopdarshan goes back to doing what we do best: predicting the unpredictable. With the help of NBA India's creative director Nakul Yadav, co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok talk about the favourites, the lamest, the Lakers, the Clippers, the changes, the MVPs and everything else in between. 

Welcome to the biggest Hoopdarshan yet, literally, figuratively, metaphorically. Episode 85 is dedicated to the historic NBA India Games in Mumbai. In this jam-packed release, we include interviews with Vivek Ranadive, Jason Williams, Rajesh Sethi, Vanja Cernivec, Diane Gotua, Detlef Schrempf, Domantas Sabonis, Akshay Manwani, and Ridhima Pathak. In addition, Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok discuss the experience of the games in Mumbai first-hand and offer their thoughts on the ongoing NBA-China-Morey controversy. 

On October 4-5, the basketball story in India will take a massive leap with the historic, first-ever NBA India Games: two preaseason matches between the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings in Mumbai. Hoopdarshan is of course here to break it all down: Co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok welcome NBA India's Content Producer Yash Matange to talk about the lead-up to this event, the two participating teams, off-court events, all the India/Hindi connections, and much more. 

On the eve of the 2019 FIBA Asia Women's Cup in Bengaluru, India's star player Jeena Scaria joins us on Hoopdarshan. In an interview with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok, Scaria tells us about India's strategy in the tougher Division A of the tournament, the top players to watch out for, and playing pro in Australia - an experience that changed her life both on and off the court.   

The top player in Indian Basketball - Amjyot Singh - joins Hoopdarshan in Episode 82 to discuss his suspension from India's national team, his experiences playing in the NBA G-League, taking part in the 3x3BL in Punjab this season, and rating Gurudwara langar food. In addition, co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok catch up on all the happenings from the Indian basketball universe.   

In Episode 81 of Hoopdarshan, actor, producer and NBA anchor Harman Singha joins on Hoopdarshan to discuss his latest brainchild: Mumbai's 3x3 Street Ball League. Singha discusses the conception of the league with celebrity co-hosts, his brother Rannvijay Singha's basketball skills, his background loving the NBA, and the best food to eat in Jalandhar. 

Hoopdarshan's 80th episode is going to be a long, emotional journey, highlighted with an interview with India's new national team coach, Veselin Matic of Serbia. Matic discusses his plans for Team India going forward, his adjustment in the country so far, and how he hopes to bring a change to Indian basketball. Furthermore, co-hosts Kaushik Lakhsman and Karan Madhok discuss the frantic NBA Free Agency as well as Marathi basketball movie 'Ajinkya'. 

Episode 79 of Hoopdarshan accomplishes two agendas: our reaction to the Toronto Raptors becoming the weirdest NBA champions in years... and the rise of 3x3 basketball in India. Co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok are joined by India's top-ranked FIBA 3x3 player Dhruv Barman who tells us about his unlikely journey into a basketball career and why India's 3x3 can make waves at the Olympics. 

With the NBA reaching its last stage of the season, we invited sports anchor for the NBA in India Manas Singh on Hoopdarshan. In a free-flowing interview, Singh discussed with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok about the Warriors going for a three-peat, the effect (or non-effect) of Kevin Durant's presence in the Finals, Kawhi Leonard's redemption tour, Stephen Curry's legacy, and why he's potentially 90 minutes away from an inappropriate tattoo.   

The very first guest on Hoopdarshan, Scott Flemming, returns to India's premier basketball podcast in a new role. Flemming was arguably the most successful head coach of India's Men's basketball side, and now works as the Technical Director of the NBA Academy India in Greater Noida. In an in-depth interview with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok, Flemming talked about the changing opportunities for India's top prospects, what India can do to turn around their recent slump, and the full inside story of the 'Turban-Ban' controversy from the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup.   

One of the most experienced players of Team India, Raspreet Sidhu joins the new episode of the Indian basketball podcast Hoopdarshan. In a wide-ranging conversation with co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok, Sidhu discussed her father's role in her basketball journey, being on court for iconic moments in Indian hoops history, and the struggle for opportunities for India's women players.

To preview the upcoming NBA playoffs, NBA analyst and commentator Akshay Manwani joins Hoopdarshan's co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and KaranMadhok to discuss the battle-royale in the East, the challengers to Golden State in the West, and the players, teams, and moments that have defined this NBA season so far. 

After a long absence, Hoopdarshan returns for Episode 74, with our attention focused towards the future. Hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok are joined by sports journalist Arka Bhattacharya of The Field to discuss building sustainable sports culture in India, lessons for a future Indian pro basketball league, and the current sports-media landscape.

With the season right around its midway point, Hoopdarshan returns with an All-NBA special episode. Joined by special guest Nikhila Makker of FirstPost, co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok talk about the Warriors' dominance, James Harden pros/cons, Pacers vs. Kings in India, and the quality (or lack thereof) of NBA beards.   

Episode 72 of Hoopdarshan comes around Christmas and New Year's with a double dose of gifts for the holidays. We are joined by Sanjana Ramesh - the Beagles Mamba - on becoming the second Indian to receive a NCAA D1 scholarship for Northern Arizona, her basketball journey in Bengaluru, and her favourite dosas. Hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok also discuss the impact of the historic first NBA preseason games between the Kings and Pacers coming to Mumbai next year. 

With the finals of the fifth season of India's most-extra basketball event - the Mizoram Basketball League (MSL) - in our sights, Hoopdarshan welcomes Mizo basketball's biggest star and last season's MVP Lalrina Renthlei as our special guest for Episode 71. In a wide-ranging interview, Renthlei speaks to hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok about the MSL's growth, basketball in the North-East, toggling between pro basketball and snooker, and his ambitions to play for India's national team.

It's Diwali season, and Hoopdarshan has brought the fireworks. In Episode 70 of the podcast, we feature special guest Palpreet Singh Brar, the first Indian to be drafted directly by the NBA G-League, an important member of the Indian national team, and the man embroiled around a controversy that got him suspended from Indian basketball this year. Brar bares his all, giving his side of the story, and providing more details of his incredible journey. Additionally, co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok catch up on other news in Indian basketball and the NBA. 

The new NBA season is here, and so is Hoopdarshan, India's premier basketball podcast! In episode 69, hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok are joined by basketball superfan James Hsu to speak about burning topics like the Warriors' inevitability, Lakers' playoff fortunes, the LeBron-less battle in the East, and everything else!   

India's premier basketball podcast Hoopdarshan returns with Episode 68, featuring special guest Francisco Garcia, the former head coach of India's women's senior team. Garcia, now back in his native Spain, speaks about where India's performances have faltered in recent years, the important players to carry the torch forward, and his uneding connection to India. 

For Episode 67 of Hoopdarshan, Rohit Bakshi, the Commissioner of 3x3BL - the FIBA-affiliated 3x3 pro basketball league in India - talks to Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok about the league's unlikely inception, dealing with speed-bumps in the first season, 3x3 fans around the country, expansion plans, and much more!

This weekend, the top players of South Asian descent in North America will converge in Chicago for the annual Chicago Indo-Pak Nationals. Co-organizer Vik Chokshi joins Hoopdarshan to discuss the history and legacy of this tournament, the greatest desi ballers in North America, and his love for the Chicago Bulls. 

Episode 65 of the Indian basketball podcast Hoopdarshan features special guest Amit Kamath - writer for FirstPost - who joins co-hosts Kaushik Lakshman and KaranMadhok to talk about experiencing the 2018 NBA Finals in person in Cleveland and Oakland, the moods of the respective fan-bases in this high-stakes contest, and the future of LeBron James with the Cavaliers.   

Last week, the Basketball Federation of India dropped a bombshell, banning Indian basketball players Amjyot Singh and Palpreet Singh for 1-year based on alleged indiscipline by both players. On Episode 64 of Hoopdarshan, Amjyot Singh tells his side of the story to Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok, addressing all of the federation's allegations, his relationship with his coaches and teammates, and his state-of-mind looking forward as he prepares for the NBA G-League workouts again. 

The entire lifetime of Hoopdarshan - India's top basketball podcast - has had a singular inevitability: Warriors vs. Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. For the fourth consecutive time, the two franchises meet again, meaning more Steph, more LeBron, more Durant, and Klay and Green(s), and Love and even JR & Swaggy P! Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok invite Episode 63 guest Thejas Balaraman to wrap-up the Conference Finals & make our predictions for the Finals ahead!

Indian basketball star Satnam Singh makes his 3rd appearance on the Hoopdarshan podcast, joining hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok to talk about his return to India, experiences of playing in the NBA G-League, and future ambitions for an NBA return. Satnam was the first NBA draft pick from India, played for the Texas Legends for two years, was the subject of the documentary 'One in a Billion', and is now preparing to help India in the Asian Games later this year. 

For Episode 61, Shireen Limaye - the most recent captain of India's Women's basketball team - joins Hoopdarshan to talk about India's performances at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, the basketball scene in her hometown Pune, and hitting THAT shot to help India win Division B of the FIBA Asia Cup last year. 

It's that time of the year again! The NBA Playoffs are here, and to round-up another fantastic regular season and look forward to the playoffs, Hoopdarshan returns with an enlightening conversation between Kaushik Lakshman, Karan Madhok, and our NBA India expert Akshay Manwani. Hear our picks and debates on the big end-of-season awards and our predictions of which teams could go all the way in the post-season. 

Over the past few weeks, Gopalakrishnan R. of Pursuit India headed Northeast to cover one of Indian basketball's pleasant surprises: the Mizoram Super League. In Episode 59 of Hoopdarshan, Gopal joints hosts Kaushik Lakshman and Karan Madhok to talk about in depth about the MSL's popularity, preview Indian basketball at the Commonwealth Games, comment on the Amjyot-Amritpal situation, and discuss why we Indian basketball fans are the X-Men.