Oddball w/ Amin Elhassan & Charlotte Wilder

The Conference Finals are here! Between SGA, Jalen Brunson, Haliburton, and Ant, which player do you want to see win their first NBA Championship? Hate 'em or love 'em, the Knicks are good, and that's good for the NBA. Haliburton is going to give Brunson a lot of work and the depth of the Pacers bench and scoring in bunches will hurt the Knicks. On Oddball we are loud with our support of the Knicks… but secretly we think the Pacers have this in the bag. The Thunder-Timberwolves series will be the first time we see Ant Edwards take on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the playoffs... Can the young wolf knock off the MVP?  The T-Wolves have flaws, but this series might be there for the taking. Can we trust Julius Randle? J-Dub vindicated himself after game 7, but Chet still has a lot to prove. Plus, people were so upset with Izzy's Cleveland rant that he decided to go on an apology tour.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Knicks advance to the ECF, and NYK fans are back. When the Knicks are good, its great for business. Timmy Chalamet has taken Spike Lee's throne as the number one New York Knick fan. The fans were so crazy this weekend that the Iciest Play of the Week goes to one of them! 20+ turnovers lead the Thunder to beat the Nuggets. Alex Caruso had the game of his lifetime guarding Joker, and SGA and the Thunder are looking like a championship contender. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic is going to drink a bunch of beer and Aaron Gordon complains that there isn't enough time to rest between games. Oh, and Russell Westbrook was bad. Like really bad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Celtics beat the Knicks with Luke Kornet, the perfect Celtic. Imagine if the Knicks blew a 3-1 lead to the Celtics without Tatum? That'd be so hilarious. The T-Wolves' strong defense ended the Warriors' season and playoff Jimmy Butler is a thing of the past-- but playoff Julius Randle is just getting going! Who will be the Warriors' savior next season? Kuminga? LeBron? Kylie Jenner? Plus, Ant has arrived, we weigh in on the in stadium free shirt debate, and a new Prop-A-Slot milestone! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jokic had another 40+ point night… and it still didn't matter. The rest of the Nuggets forgot how to shoot and with help from everyone including their bench, the Thunder took advantage. Is Russell Westbrook's immaturity causing problems in the locker room? Is David Adelman better than Mike Malone? Will Donovan Mitchell and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers ever make it past the second round, or are they too soft? Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler is choosing when he wants to play well, and without Steph the Warriors are struggling. And how should winning the Cooper Flagg lottery change the Mavericks plans for next season? Plus, Izzy and Amin Blind Rank number one picks to predict how good Cooper will be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Dallas Mavericks have won the lottery, which means Cooper Flagg is headed to Texas to save Nico Harrison's bacon. We get Amin and Izzy's instant reactions in a new edition of Oddball On The Run, and we break out Stock Watch to see how the playoffs have changed how we think of players and coaches around the league. First up, has Giannis reclaimed Best Player in the World status even after his team got eliminated in the first round? Has Joe Mazzulla's rope run out? What lies in store for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's future? Plus, a double edition of the Iciest Play of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Knicks shocked the world by taking a 2-0 lead over the Celtics, but after Boston's shooters caught fire in game 3, KAT, OG, and the Nova Knicks are at risk of blowing their lead. When was the last time Madison Square Garden hosted a game this important? Elsewhere around the association: The Cavs are one game away from seeing their dream season go up in smoke, and the Thunder draw even with Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Plus, Hot Streak! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NBA draft lottery is on Monday, it's time to give all the losing teams this year a little hope.  The Hornets and Pelicans deserve some good luck, but, Cooper Flagg is supposed to save the NBA, not just a single team. San Antonio has had enough lottery wins, but do they still deserve this more than Atlanta? We're playing Capture the Flagg to answer all the most important questions! Can he be the Washington Wizards' Captain America? Who has the best karma? Who has the best credit score? Plus, we break down this week's biggest headlines and catch up with some Odds and Ends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 It was a throwback night of hoops and Amin and Izzy break it all down. The Golden State Warriors won, but lost Steph Curry to a hamstring injury. With Steph out, can the Warriors survive this series? Can Jimmy Butler step up and be Batman? Can Ant turn the lights back on and shut Jimmy down? Then, we pick between Tyrese Halliburton and Aaron Gordon's playoff game winners for the Iciest Play of the Week. The Cavs did everything right (except win) and now the Pacers are up 2-0 and approaching their second consecutive Eastern Conference Final thanks to two improbable comebacks. Is Indiana talented, or just lucky? The Nuggets stole Game 1 from the Thunder and are playing harder for Jokic than Adelman. Plus, Prop-A-Slot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode we preview the Warriors-Timberwolves matchup and revisit Draymond Green locking Rudy Gobert in a chokehold. Is Gobert tough enough to play against Dray? Will Ant's grudge against the Warriors impact his play? Has Buddy Hield taken Jimmy Butler's place as Steph Curry's Batman? And are the Warriors or T-Wolves good enough to beat the Thunder or the Nuggets? Plus, Giannis trade rumors are swirling and we rank them from good to bad and insane to interesting. Where would he fit best? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Warriors and Steph Curry found a way to take the Rockets down thanks to Buddy Hield and Draymond Green. Jokic and the Nuggets beat Harden and the Clippers, in what Amin dubs a "wet fart" of a game. Can Kawhi keep the Clips relevant? Plus, we break down the MVP contenders in the Nuggets-Thunder series and preview the Knicks-Celtics series. Are Brunson's clutch heroics enough for the Knicks to win? See which game we pick for tonight's matchup when we play Hot-Streak! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Father Time stops by Oddball with one message: Amin was right. The Timberwolves knock the Lakers out of the first round of the playoffs, Rudy Gobert snatches Lebron's crown, and angry JJ Redick returns. Is he the right coach for the Lakers? Are the Lakers still Lebron's team? Then, Izzy and Amin take you through this week's biggest headlines, and Amin shares clips of his new episode on Pablo Torre Finds Out episode where they investigate the conspiracy around Giannis Antetokounmpo and chicken eligible free throws. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers finished off the Bucks in dramatic fashion, Playoff Jamal made his thunderous return, and Cade Cunningham showed out on a jam-packed night around the Association. Tune in to debate Giannis Antetokounmpo's future, how the Heat can rebound from their 55-point drubbing by the Cavaliers, and the question of the hour: which NBA team would fare the best against a gorilla? Plus, Iciest Play of the Week, and Prop-a-Slot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amin is the rootin'est tootin'est sheriff in the Wild West(ern Conference), and today he's questioning Altitude Sports' Katy Winge on the Denver Nuggets' crazy past few weeks. Did Aaron Gordon really get that dunk through the hoop in time? Have the Clippers discovered Nikola Jokic's greatest weakness? How far can the winner of the Nuggets-Clippers series go in the playoffs? All that and more with Katy Winge on the Hot Seat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tony Catalayud joins Amin for a packed Monday episode of Oddball. The refs stole game 4 from the Pistons and delivered it to the Knicks, but Amin is not mad. Plus, who won the KAT trade? JJ ran LeBron and the Lakers into the ground, and now Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and the rest of the Timberwolves are one game away from eliminating the King. We have no idea where the Hawkeye camera is located, but we do know where the Heat are headed: home! Also, we peer into Milwaukee's dark future after Damian Lillard's injury, and explain why Jimmy returning tonight for the Warriors might not be such a good idea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amin and Izzy play a new game with Ros Gold-Onwude called "Take My Take," it's like Shark Tank, but with basketball takes. When Steph Curry retires, how many championships will he have won? If the Celtics don't make the NBA finals, should they trade Jaylen Brown or Jason Tatum? Should players be allowed to call their own fouls if the refs don't see it? Which superstar should the Thunder target? Ros chooses which NBA takes she wants to invest in and then gives her own take on MVP scorecards!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amin was at the Lakers game last night and it went just as he predicted: the refs made it easy for LeBron and Luka to survive the Timberwolves defense. But even with the refs help, do the Lakers' stars have the legs for a long playoff run? The Pacers took a 2-0 series lead over the Bucks, but Doc is still confident! Also, why is SGA struggling? Plus, we breakdown the week's biggest Headlines and play another edition of Prop-a-Slot!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode, Amin and Izzy measure the level of sh*t each of these disappointing NBA teams are in. Nico Harrison may never win the Dallas fans back after trading Luka. The Sixers' roster has been struggling, but who knows what they'll look like if PG, Maxey, and Embiid actually get a chance to play together. Plus, we discuss what happened with the Phoenix Suns and wonder if trading Ja is the only solution for the Grizzlies. Also, we've got two options for the Iciest Play of the Week-- what's your pick? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Eight game ones are in the books, and we've got questions. Anthony Edwards is forcing us to ask whether LeBron and Luka are as good of a duo as we thought. Can Dame save Miami? Is this Russ's last chance to win a ring as a real contributor? Does the NBA need a mercy rule? Also, Izzy breaks down what's happening with his adopted sons, the Thompson twins. All that and a new edition of Hot Streak in today's episode of Oddball! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tyler Herro's 38-point night lifted Miami past the Bulls and into a win-or-go-home matchup with Atlanta on Friday. Who has more to lose in that matchup, Herro or Trae Young? Should the Heat even want to be in the playoffs? And where do the Bulls and Kings go from here after losing their play-in games? Plus, Dame is back, Zion might be gone, and Kevin Durant is looking for his forever home. Try Huel with 15% OFF + Free Gift for New Customers today using my code ODDBALL at https://huel.com/ODDBALL. Fuel your best performance with Huel today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Play-in is underway! Amin returns from San Francisco after watching the Warriors take down the Grizzlies. He and Izzy break down the ingredients to Chef Curry and Jimmy Buckets' success. Kuminga got benched-- Why now, and what does that mean for the Warriors' rotations? Amin reviews Zach Edey's playoff debut, and Izzy questions whether the Magic can pose a real challenge to the Celtics in the first round. Also, this week's top Headlines and another edition of Prop-a-Slot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode of Oddball, Amin and Izzy turn to the pressure grid to build you an NBA Playoffs Cheat Sheet. We've got teams with the best shot at a title, like the Thunder, Celtics, and Cavs, on the right, with the pretenders on the left. Teams under the most pressure to win go at the top, and teams with lower stakes-- looking at you, Rockets!-- sink down to the bottom. Tune in to find out where the top nine teams in the playoffs end up! Then, we preview tonight's play-in games with another edition of Hot Streak! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NBA playoffs are here and a third of the league is headed for a long vacation. Here at Oddball, we don't believe in sending teams home empty handed. For the second time ever, we welcome you to the Oddball Participation Awards! Amin and Izzy hand out awards and vacation advice to your favorite teams who won't have a chance to compete for the Larry O'Brien this postseason. Honorees include the Suns, Pelicans, Sixers, and all the other teams whose seasons have ended.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are taking a trip to The White Lotus resort in Thailand... which NBA teams are joining us? In this episode, Amin and Izzy recast season 3 of The White Lotus Season. Who sacrificed their morals for pretty much nothing and would make a better Belinda? Are the Celtics doomed like the Ratliffs? Are the Lakers trying to kill AD? Amin and Izzy break down the Iciest Play of The Week-- Luka's behind the head pass. Then we play The Oddacity! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Malone and Calvin Booth are out in Denver, and Izzy and Amin are shocked. The Nuggets needed a jolt, but the timing is baffling. Between Taylor Jenkins and Michael Malone, we're starting to think every head coach is on the hot seat. The Nuggets may have tanked their playoff chances, but the Lakers are just heating up-- as long as Luka Doncic doesn't keep getting ejected. Plus, tune in to Headlines to hear some suggestions for new celebrations for Ja Morant, and also, Hot Streak is back! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Which NBA franchise would win a three-on-three tournament? Izzy and Amin decide using a blind ranker, looking at ten of the top trios in the league to debate who would be the best if they went head-to-head. Would LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves stake their claim as the league's best Big 3? Who would fill out the Cavaliers' or Celtics' third spots? And who would be more unstoppable, Giannis or Jokic? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amin and Izzy put Sam Morril in the Hot Seat to defend the New York Knicks. Is Jalen Brunson good enough to be the best player on a championship team? Did Donte Divincenzo curse the Knicks? Would Josh Hart be a starter on any other team outside of New York? And were the Knicks bad for so long that we all forgot how annoying their fans are? All that and more on today's edition of Hot Seat on Oddball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to Statline Shuffle, where Izzy and Amin try to guess players based on their box scores. Are the Luka Doncic, Lebron James, and the Lakers really better at defense? Is you Rookie of the Year pick Stephon Castle, Zaccarie Risacher, or someone else? And how have the Heat unlocked the best version of Bam Adebayo? Plus, who had this week's Iciest Play? Here's a hint: Izzy got to pick today. Try Huel with 15% OFF + Free Gift for New Customers today using my code ODDBALL at https://huel.com/ODDBALL. Fuel your best performance with Huel today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steph and Jokic gave us so much to talk about last night, Amin and Izzy don't even know where to start! Steph Curry is single-handedly carrying the Warriors to the five seed, where they're likely to face LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Can Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green or ANYBODY give Steph some help?!? Meanwhile up North, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves survived a 61-point triple-double from the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic-- but they had a little help from a double agent. Does Russell Westbrook's latest gaffe spell doom for Denver, or will Brodie have his redemption in the playoffs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Amin and Izzy delve into the NBA's Most Improved Player race, wondering if a former #1 pick like Cade Cunningham can ever win the award, even after an impressive season with the Detroit Pistons. Plus, we look at other contenders like Dyson Daniels, Tyler Herro, and Christian Braun, and the broader implications of the Most Improved Player award. We also talk about the NBA and FIBA exploring the creation of a new 16-team basketball league in Europe set to rival the Euroleague. Is an NBA expansion coming? Click play to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taylor Jenkins is no longer the head coach in Memphis! What's up with this timing, how much did Ja Morant have to do with the move, and who is the new guy? Get all your answers on Oddball, along with Izzy and Amin's takes on the Pistons and Timberwolves' brawl and a brand new edition of Hot Streak! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've reached the Odds of March, that mythical time on the NBA calendar when truth is put on hold and chaos reigns. The Bulls, Suns, and Clippers are among the hottest teams in the league, while Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum are on the bench. Bronny is putting up star numbers (don't ask who he's playing) and Anthony Davis' return has given the Mavericks new hope. Plus, Amin and Izzy share some highlights from their trip to Miami with Akbar Domestique. Does Jimmy Butler deserve a statue? Which design is your favorite? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter or Threads @oddbalhoops. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Butler and the Warriors came up small in their first game in Miami since the trade deadline.. or maybe it just meant more to Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and the rest of the Heat. Plus, Izzy and Amin explore the works of sculptor Akbar Domestique and his efforts to get Jimmy Butler a statue outside of the Kaseya Center. Also, Damian Lillard's deep vein thrombosis diagnosis puts the Bucks' season in peril, and Kel'el Ware has our Icy Play of the Week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Butler makes his highly anticipated return to Miami as the Golden State Warriors take on the struggling Miami Heat. Amin and guest cohost Jeremy Tache reflect on Butler's time in South Beach, and analyze Draymond Green and Butler' differing takes on how much this game means. We close the show with the first-ever edition of Shot Clock, an NBA trivia tic-tac-toe game show from the mind of Jeremy Tache! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't be fooled by the standings or the calendar: Amin lets guest cohost Jeremy Tache know that the playoffs have already begun! The Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets are battling for the No. 2 seed in the West, while the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a brutal loss to the Chicago Bulls that may have knocked them out of contention. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder compete for the best record in the NBA to claim home court advantage in the Finals. Steph Curry's injury raises concerns about the Golden State Warriors' chances of holding onto the No. 6 seed with the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers right on their heels. Plus, Jeremy gives his definitive take on the MVP race between Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and what "Most Improved Player" really means. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when every NBA team loses its best player? Amin and Izzy analyze how teams would perform without their biggest stars. They break down the New York Knicks without Jalen Brunson, the Los Angeles Lakers without LeBron James (not Luka Doncic), and the Milwaukee Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Does Oklahoma City become a lottery team without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? To close the show, 'tis the season: they fill out a bracket and decide which team would take first without its star. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing Statline Shuffle, a new game built for box-score watchers. Too bad Izzy and Amin grind tape! We give the statline, you guess the player. How did the Nuggets pull off a win over the Warriors without Jokic? And how did the Warriors pull off a win over the Bucks without Steph? Plus, we shout out Boston Celtic Baylor Schierman for our Iciest Play of the Week and play Prop-a-slot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Enough of these whippersnappers! Today Izzy and Amin are drafting teams of the best NBA players age 36 and older. The old heads have been hooping this year! You've got LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and... well actually the list kind of drops off after that, doesn't it? Tune in to see who else makes the cut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amin and Izzy play Odd One Out to discuss the hottest NBA storylines of the day, including the Cleveland Cavaliers' surprising weaknesses despite their win streak, the Orlando Magic's real MVP, and the Houston Rockets' six-game surge. The Washington Wizards completed a stunning season sweep over Nikola Jokić's Nuggets over the weekend. Should we be worried about Denver? Izzy has some notes for J.B. Bickerstaff after his all-time postgame rant. To close the show, Amin breaks down why the matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday was the saddest NBA game of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Oklahoma City Thunder took down the Boston Celtics 118-112 behind a dominant fourth quarter from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Celtics' late-game struggles continued, as they rank near the bottom of the league in fourth-quarter net rating over their last 10 games. Crunch time gets even crunchier in the playoffs... Can Boston right the ship in time? Plus, we break down whether SGA is the NBA's best closer, how to weigh this matchup with Kristaps Porziņģis and Jalen Williams on the sidelines, and what a potential Celtics-Thunder NBA Finals could look like. Later, we dive into Mikal Bridges' comments on Tom Thibodeau's heavy minutes load for Knicks starters and get spicy with another round of Hot Po-Take-O! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NBA MVP race is heating up, and Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are making their cases. What were Amin and Izzy's takeaways after a back-to-back showdown between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this week? We break down Jokić's comments on the race, and Coach Mike Malone's argument for his star player to take home the award. Plus, Tyrese Haliburton delivers the Iciest Shot of the Week, the latest on the Pacers' playoff positioning, and a look at must-watch matchups ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBA champion and Cleveland Cavaliers legend Channing Frye steps into the hot seat to separate fact from fiction about the Cavs' title hopes. How does Cleveland's starting five compare to Oklahoma City and Boston? Is Donovan Mitchell better than Jalen Brunson? Did the Cavs overpay for De'Andre Hunter? Could this year's squad beat the 2016 championship team? And most importantly: can Channing Frye handle the heat of the hot seat?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the playoffs one month away, these regular season powerhouse matchups are hitting a little different. After watching the Lakers take on two of the top teams in the East and the Thunder take down the Nuggets over the weekend, Izzy and Amin are turning their attention to the hunt for the Larry O'Brien trophy. Today they're power ranking the top six teams by record-- Cavaliers, Thunder, Celtics, Lakers, Nuggets, and Knicks-- to determine who has the best chance of winning a title this season. Plus, how will LeBron James and Jalen Brunson's injuries affect the title race? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Claire de Lune, NBA reporter for The Guardian, joins Amin and Izzy to dispel some myths about the Los Angeles Lakers. Is Luka Doncic already the best teammate LeBron James has ever had? Did JJ Redick figure out the secret to beating Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets? Who will have a longer career with the Lakers: Austin Reaves or Bronny James? All that and more on today's episode of Oddball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Mavericks season from hell added another chapter this week with Kyrie Irving suffering a torn ACL. Kyrie's season is done, putting him at the front of the list of injuries up and down the Mavs' roster-- plus Anthony Davis might be done for the year, and oh yeah, Luka Doncic plays for the Lakers. Amin and Izzy ask if there's any precedent for an implosion of this scale, and see if they can find a reason for optimism in the Mavericks future. Also, Amin and Izzy do a blind ranker with some of these new nicknames that are popping up everywhere, and Prop-a-Slot is back! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Durant's time with the Phoenix Suns may be coming to an end. We break down potential trade destinations, including the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies. Plus, the Philadelphia 76ers suffer a major blow with Joel Embiid being sidelined for the season—what does this mean for Daryl Morey's future in Philly? We also dive into the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James' historic play at age 40, and the Raptors-Knicks lawsuit that could change NBA team relations. To wrap up, we spotlight this week's must-watch games, including Lakers vs. Celtics and Thunder vs. Nuggets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony Edwards made waves by dismissing the idea of being the NBA's next face, instead pointing to Victor Wembanyama. Amin and Izzy break down LeBron James' response and what it truly means to carry that responsibility. With Edwards leading the league in technical fouls, is he actually shaping up to be the NBA's next great heel, following in the footsteps of Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson? Plus, the duo plays Hot Streak before wrapping up with the O(ddball)scars, handing out awards for the best (and worst) performances in the NBA's never-ending drama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander really a "free throw merchant," or is he just great at drawing contact? We dive into the debate around SGA, James Harden, Joel Embiid, Jalen Brunson, and other NBA stars who thrive at the line. Amin and Izzy break down what makes a player a foul merchant, why some fans hate it, and whether it's actually a skill. Plus, Amin and Izzy close the show by filling in a "Player Grid," ranking great, mid, and bad players based on how much we love and hate to watch them play.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luka Doncic emerged victorious from his first matchup against his former team, with a little help from LeBron James. Even after watching Luka go head to head with Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks, we still can't believe the trade actually happened. Is it possible for Nico Harrison to ever be redeemed? Plus, our picks for game of the week were both hits! Amen Thompson is developing a reputation, and the Grizzlies took advantage of the setting Suns. On this week's edition of Prop-a-Slot: IT'S YOU, PAUL GEORGE! YOU'RE THE ONE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the NBA season hits the home stretch, we're breaking down what top contenders need to prove before the playoffs. The New York Knicks continue to struggle against elite competition—can they fix their defensive issues? Are the Boston Celtics primed for another easy path to the Finals? Plus, we dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers' legitimacy, the surging Golden State Warriors, and whether the Oklahoma City Thunder are truly ready for a deep playoff run. Also, what do Nikola Jokić and Ja Morant need to show to be considered true Western Conference threats?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luka Dončić responded to JJ Redick's challenge with a dominant performance, while the Lakers found a way to slow down Nikola Jokić. Did Redick crack the Nuggets' code, or was it just a one-off? And are the Lakers legitimate title contenders? Plus, Amin and Izzy react to the news that Joel Embiid's season may be over and discuss how Kevin Garnett's potential front-office role could shape the Timberwolves' future. And on Hot Streak, Amin and Izzy reveal their pick for Luka's first game against his former team as the Lakers take on the Mavericks Tuesday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Victor Wembanyama's season is likely over—what does his absence mean for the NBA? Plus, Amin and Izzy react to the controversy surrounding the Lakers after failing Mark Williams' physical and LeBron James' returns to action after skipping All-Star Weekend. To close the show, Amin fires back at PK Subban's NBA vs. NHL culture comparison. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices