The Drop Step

Squint for a second. Look at that college player that's made his way from D3 to D1. Look at the guy who's worked on his craft and transformed his game from the first time he stepped on a campus court. What's to say that his metamorphosis is complete? Is there another stage for him to get to? That's the question that Bryce Simon, (Game Theory, Pistons Pulse) and I are asking of Maxime Raynaud, Walter Clayton Jr, Cedric Coward, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Nique Clifford in this episode of The Drop Step. We look at the college seniors who have scrapped and fought to get here and ask if they might be diamonds in the rough, ready to contribute, ready to change the fortunes of your favourite NBA team. Give it a listen! Check out Bryce here: Bryce's Twitter: https://twitter.com/MotorCityHoops The Game Theory YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GameTheoryPodcastwSamVecenie The Pistons Pulse: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zYsMLyTnrQW68xALK7Enz?si=aab6a0bf2d49408c Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA Subscribe to The Drop Step YT channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lucas Kaplan of Nets Daily jumped on the podcast to talk about the Clippers and Lakers first round series. We dissected these future California classics games, making predictions about where we think each series will go and what their outcome says about the league in general. Lots of fun chat with one of the best analysts in the business! Make sure to check Lucas out down below: Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow Lucas on Twitter here: https://x.com/LucasKaplan_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chuck of Chucking Darts podcast fame joins the podcast for the 2025 edition of The NBA Stock Exchange! We each picked the 5 guys we think will see their stock rise the most over the next calendar year of NBA hoops. Listen in as we discuss potential primaries hiding in plain sight, rookie wings set to fly and a superstar who might be challenging for the Larry O'Brien this post season. This was a really fun episode to record. Chuck is genuinely one of the best people in the NBA space and if the NBA stock market was real I think he'd make a killing! Check the episode out and let us know who's stock is set to rise the highest over the next year in the NBA! Check out the Chucking Darts podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LC9VGKrFdKeeOhYZ1bl6H Check out the Chucking Darts Substack here: https://substack.com/@chuckingdarts Drop Chuck a follow on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ChuckingDarts Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're a week out from the post season and Ryan Kaminski of Swish Theory joins the show to talk about a recently reemerging Orlando Magic team. In the wake of the Taylor Jenkins firing in Memphis we talk about how the two teams share similar traits and how the Magic can avoid finding themselves at a corssorads next season. Do big trades need to be made? Is internal development the key? Or are Orlando good enough already to make real noise in the Playoffs this year? Ryan was a great guest; Make sure to check him out here: https://linktr.ee/beyondtherk My Links: Twitter: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jackquantrill.bsky.social Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Eudy of Fansided joins the show to talk about the Hornets and small market team building strategy. How do you build a contending team when you aren't a historic franchise? We put our mad scientist hats on and blend a chat about the Hornets exciting young core with ideas we think teams in Charlotte's position should be exploring. Check it out! Check out Will on Twitter/X here: https://x.com/willceudy My Links: Twitter: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jackquantrill.bsky.social Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of two deadline defining trades the Warriors and the Lakers are back! Reinvigorated. Ready to make real waves in the post season. Swish Theory and Draft Kings Charlie Cummings joins the program to talk about his Warriors, and Jimmy has transformed the Dubs. Later on we talk about the Lakers, their ceiling and the fact that we've never really seen a team constructed quite like this. Charlie is the best and thsi was a blast to record. Enjoy the episode! The Article: https://theswishtheory.com/nba/2025/02/warriors-unlock-new-deadly-lineup/ My Links: Twitter: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jackquantrill.bsky.social Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Charlie's Links: Twitter: https://x.com/klaytheist11 BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/klaytheist.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in a state of flux it's time to look at how they should shape their roster around Ant Edwards going forward. Who stays, who goes? Can the Wolves capitalise on having the next great American player? Thanks to Andrew for coming on - he's the best and deserves a follow! Follow Andrew on Twitter: https://x.com/adukeMN Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA Subscribe to The Drop Step YT channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steph Noh of The Sporting News joins the show to discuss his recent article on the worst contracts in the league. We discuss attitudes surrounding negative contracts, the risk adverse nature of most GM's in the league and how quickly value can change. Check it out and check out Steph! Links: https://x.com/StephNoh https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're used to seeing big boards and mock drafts but Bryce Simon of The Game Theory Podcast joins us to do something a little different. What if we ditched lottery odds and got together and decided on draft location based on fit? Where would Cooper Flagg shine the brightest? Which team can unlock Ace Bailey? Could the right situation see Derrick Queen go supernova? In this mammoth episode we talk through the top 10 prospects in the draft and play matchmaker with the bottom ten teams in the standings. Check out Bryce, he's the best - links down below: Bryce's Twitter: https://twitter.com/MotorCityHoops Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA Subscribe to The Drop Step YT channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

XJ of The Hot Hand Theory joins the show to talk about the emerging trends we've spotted throughout the 24-25 NBA season. Are we on the verge of a defensive revoltion, pioneered by Mark Daigneault's OKC Thunder? Are the Houston Rockets blurring the lines between offence and defence with their commitment to offenisve rebounding? Which frnachise is the biggest innovation hub in a rapidly changing league? All that and more in a great episode! The Hot Hand Theory Feed: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vezYZwD8FYL8SyUchQ6RP Hot Hand Theory Twitter: https://x.com/HotHandTheory Drop Step Twitter: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

These players aren't neccesarily in the rumour mill but my guess is they wish they were. Dan Favale of the Hardwood Knocks podcast joins the show a month out from the trade deadline to talk players that we just wish we could see in new colours. From stars to roleplayers, a ton of teams get some shine in a super fun episode! Be sure to check it out. Hardwood Knocks - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Xnq1yKgX8uJCllz1fOQfP?si=ae2b80fade474dd5 The Drop Step - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Victor Wembanyama looks to have taken a leap 30 games into the 2024-25 season so it's time to ask whether the San Antonio Spurs can follow his lead. Are they ready to be taken seriously or is another development season on the horizon? Spurs expert and friend of the podcast Noah Magaro-George joins the show to talk about how Wemby's improved this season, which players are ready to follow him on the path to contention and future plans for a team that any NBA fan should be keeping an eye on. Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow The Vic and Roll on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/Vic_And_Roll Follow Noah on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/N_Magaro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"What's going on in Utah".... Brian Windhorst asked a few offseasons ago. As Windy hinted and finger pointed that change was afoot the NBA world giggled and scrambled to trade for the cream of the Jazz crop in Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell. Utah got a haul that gave off OKC vibes and with Danny Ainge at helm a Western conference powerhouse was sure to be on the way. Except, two seasons and eight rookie contracts later that doesn't seem to be the case. The Jazz have a rogues gallery of misfit roleplayers, decent starters and draft pick who haven't quite landed and despite having Will Hardy to steer the ship this franchise has looked a little rudderless. Queue Charlie Cummings of Swish Theory (AKA Klaytheist11) to join the pod and talk about where this is all going, what the Jazz should be doing and whether Danny Ainge still has it. This was a really fun episode! Make sure to check out Charlie, like, rate, subscribe, share, all that..... Jazz. The Article: https://theswishtheory.com/nba/2024/07/utahs-two-timelines-of-bad/ My Links: Twitter: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jackquantrill.bsky.social Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Charlie's Links: Twitter: https://bsky.app/profile/klaytheist.bsky.social BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/klaytheist.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's nothing more exciting than watching a player on your favourite team make "The Leap"... Whether it's an improved handle, a sweet looking three-ball, dogged defence or a change in attitude there are tonnes of ways that players take that next step and Matt Powers of Swish Theory joined the pod to talk about some of our favourite young NBA players who are ascending rapidly! Listen in for Gradey Dick hype, LaMelo Ball debate and a Bilal Coulibaly conversation that gets a little carried away. Matt is a great guest and a great basketball mind. Make sure to check him and Swish Theory out after you've listened to the episode for more great content. Like, Rate and Share! Check out The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/thedropstepnba Subscribe to The Drop Step here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Check out Matt on Twitter here: https://x.com/draftpow Read Swish Theory here: https://theswishtheory.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A week of the 24/25 NBA season has taken place and as predicted; the 2024 rookie class has gotten off to a slow start. But, gaze into the future, peer, peak, draw back the curtain and try to envision a world in which Reed Sheppard is on fire in Houston, Zach Edey isn't fouling 4.7 times per game and Zaccharie Risacher can finish at the rim. That's exactly what Dan Olinger and I tried to do on this pod, drafting 8 man rotations from the 2024 draft, trying to build our best long term lineups. This was super fun! It gave us a chance to talk about team building, make or break guys and draft philosophy while also getting to wear our fake GM hats! Make sure to go and check out Dan's work down below - he was a great guest and knows a ton of ball! Subscribe to The Drop Step here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Check out The Draft Council here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6y8SVNMhO97mRwLQYS09O1?si=c579e22c77844aae Drop Dan a follow on Twitter here: https://x.com/dan_olinger Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/thedropstepnba Rate the podcast if you enjoyed this weeks episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is West Coast Real Estate the best thing about the Pacific Divison? The LA teams, Warriors, Suns and Kings might find themselves in a beautiful aprt of the country but Judson Walden and I discuss why we're concerned about the overall strength of this group. Will offseason additions lead to a more exciting season for Kings and Suns fans? Can LeBron and Steph defy father time again? Will Kawhi Leonard ever play at the Intuit Dome? Tonnes of questions about teams that are tough to evaluate but fun to talk about! Judson Walden joins to try and help us unravvel just what's going on out West. Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow Jud on Twitter here: https://x.com/JudsonMWalden Subscribe to The Drop Step YT channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Square your shoulders to the basketball, tuck that elbow in, ten toes facing the rim, don't let that guide hand interfere with your shot! When I think of shooting development, like many other I focus on the physical side of things, correcting form, energy transfer, fluid motion, eliminating that funky footwork etc but there's so much more to it than that. I asked NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love onto the podcast because I wanted to delve into the mental side of what he does. How does he gain a players trust at the start of a process? How do you teach a player that it's alright to miss? What's the basketball equivalent of a swing thought? And is our current mindset behind shooting holding us back from hitting percentages that we thought unimaginable in previous generations? Dave was super kind with his time and if you're an NBA nerd I really think you'll enjoy our conversation. Please Like, Subscribe and Share this episode if you enjoyed! Follow The Drop Step Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6y7i6Tgsp1vQYELsZzZ2Ni Make sure to check out Dave's podcast here:  https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kw3RfiWONxiSFSlGAdDgV Subscribe to Dave's Youtube channel here:  https://www.youtube.com/@CoachDaveLove Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The South West division was a doosie last year, providing us with a finals contender, a french phenom, a frnachise that nearly doubled their win total from 22/23 to 23/24 and a near full year of Zion Williamson (that damn Play-In!). This year promises much of the same. Now that the Memphis Grizzlies are seemingly back, ready to compete after a nightmarish 27 win season last year, it seems we have 5 competitive teams, all with young stars and big aspirations for the year ahead. Twitter analyst and true hoop head Brett Usher joined to talk about a conference that promises to be incredibly exciting during the 24/25 NBA season. Check it out! You can find Brett on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/UsherNBA You can find "The Drop Step" on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trill of YKB fame drops by to talk about the Atlantic Division in the 24/25 season! We went through every single trade target that Philadelphia could look to acquire using the KJ Martin contract. Spoke about the Celtics title credentials given the Porzingis injury, had some (slightly outdated chat around the Knicks) and finished off with a 2nd draft guys segment that'll get you on Fanspo in no time! Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow Trill on Twitter here: https://x.com/TrillBroDude Check out all of Trills links here: https://www.patreon.com/YouKnowBall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Northwestern Divison has as good a chance as any with providing us our NBA champions for the 2024/25 season. Listen in for a whistlestop tour through the OKC Thunder, the Timberwolves, the Nuggets and the Jazz. We talk about divison themes, fun lineups we'd like to see, our big questions for each team as well as some of our predictions for the upcoming season. Can SGA win MVP? Will the Nuggets drop off losing KCP? Can Anthony Edwards take another step forward or can the Jazz finally bottom out in pursuit of the star that'll launch this core forward? Listen in for all that and more. As always Jud was a great guest with a lot of interesting stuff to say. He'll be back a ton through the next season. Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow Jud on Twitter here: https://x.com/JudsonMWalden Subscribe to The Drop Step YT channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not all rebuilds are built equal. Sometimes you get a bundle of picks to jumpstart the assembly of an exciting new era for your franchise. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride, tear it all down and leave a failed era behind without a ton to show for it. The Blazers and the Wizards found themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum when they chose to tear it down but we spoke about them together in our first season preview episode of the off-season. Listen in as Matt, Jud and I tell you everything you need to know about these teams prior to the start of the 24/25 season. Check out Matt on Twitter here: https://x.com/MattModderno Check out Jud on Twitter here: https://x.com/JudsonMWalden Check out The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just how do you scout the draft in 2024? What do you look for? What do you value? Well, I've drafted in draft expert (see what I did there?) Chucking Darts to help you and I through the process. We talk about what it really means to be an NBA athlete, valuing efficiency at all levels and what's going to stay valuable as we get into the backhalf on the 2020's in the NBA. Let us know what your philosophy is heading into the 2025 class, what are you valuing that no one else seems to be talking about? Check out the Chucking Darts podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@chuckingdartsnbapodcast2215 Check out the Chucking Darts Substack here: https://substack.com/@chuckingdarts Drop Chuck a follow on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ChuckingDarts Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's going to happen next year in the NBA? Who will be the best player? Which teams will dissapoint? Which young guys have a chance to break through and do something special? I've decided to arrogantly share my East/West Conference Predictions as well as my Top 75 players list with a bunch of fellow content creators so they can tear me down all in the name of good listening! For the debut episode of Rate my NBA season I had friend of the pod Asher Levy NBA on to dissect my list and my man got forensic on me. We argued about the Clippers, the Bucks, Jamal Murray, Kevin Durant and a whole lot more! Make sure to give the episode a listen and check out Asher's YT channel and Substack! Drop your 24/25 season predictions down below! Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow Asher on Twitter Here https://x.com/asherlevynba Subscribe to Asher on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPtzodtg-ColPwR44uIRMyg Subscribe to The Drop Step YT channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce joins the show to hopefully reframe the conversation around the Detroit Pistons. It's easy to see the gaps in the roster but we try and imagine what success could look like in Motor City. We talk about each member of the young core and highlight one area of their game in which we'd like to see them improve to get this roster to a place where we're talking post season not potential draft picks. Disclaimer: With every single one of these guys we could have spoken about shooting but we wanted to have a little more fun! Check out Bryce, he's the best - links down below: Bryce's Twitter: https://twitter.com/MotorCityHoops Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA Subscribe to The Drop Step YT channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How far can synergy get you in the NBA? As the Knicks trade the farm for Mikal Bridges, the Celtics win it all with one of the most balanced teams of all time and star laden teams like the Phoenix Suns flame out early in the post season Judson Walden and I wanted to explore just how far synergy can get you. We put on our fake GM hats and drafted against eachother in an effort to build a championship quality 8-man rotation without selecting all-stars. Team philosophies differed, big names didn't make the cut but most inportantly we had a great time recording! Make sure to check out Jud, this was his debut podcast and honestly it felt like he'd been doing it for years. Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow Jud on Twitter here: https://x.com/JudsonMWalden Subscribe to The Drop Step YT channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hawks expert Glen Willis joins the podcast to talk about his beloved Atlanta! Trading Trae Young or Dejounte Murray? What to do with the number 1 pick? Jalen Johnsons ultimate ceiling? The unexpected value of De'Andre Hunter. We talk about a ton of interesting stuff in this episode so make sure to chekc it out! Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA?prefetchTimestamp=1717782640040&mx=2 Follow Glen Willis on Twitter here: https://x.com/willis_glen Check out the ATL 29: https://x.com/ATLand29 Subscribe to The Drop Step on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDropStep_NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An MVP, an All-Star, 5 draft picks and $55,000,000 in cap space. The Philadelphia 76ers have all of the above, Ricky Council III and the rest is a blank canvas. In a move to build a championship team round Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey this summer Daryll Morey has created flexibility that most GM's would dream of. Heading into free agency they have the room to sign any player and with their stash of draft picks traidng for a star isn't out of the question. So... Why not get the Slopfather himself, TrillBroDude of the You Know Ball podcast, on The Drop Step to dissect every move Philadelphia could make this offseason? We talk about upgrading the Nic Batum spot (by signing LeBron James), a Jimmy Butler reunion, Joel Embiid morphing into Brook Lopez and tonnes more on the star front. We wrap the podcast up talking about some of our favourite guys from the 2024 draft but most importantly this episode was a blast to record! Trill is great and we cooked up some plans that could see Philadelphia vault back into contention. Give it a listen! Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://x.com/TheDropStepNBA?prefetchTimestamp=1717782640040&mx=2 Follow Trill on Twitter here: https://x.com/TrillBroDude Check out all of Trills links here: https://www.patreon.com/YouKnowBall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Small guards thriving, depth is king, two big or not two big... Every year the playoffs throw up a ton of questions and answers so on today's show Parker Flemming and I took his team, the Memphis Grizzlies, and spoke about some takeawys they could make and apply to next season. We got into winning the possesion game, optimising Jarren Jackson Jr, the two best value wings in the NBA and a whole lot more! Check out the episode! Parker is the best! He's got an encyclopedic knowledge of the Grizzlies and thinks about the game in a really fun way. Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Drop Parker a follow on Twitter here: https://x.com/PAKA_FLOCKA Make sure to check out Parker's Substack here: https://subtsakalidis.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nic Thomas of The Lead and The Box Score pod joined the podcast for one of our favourite nights of the year... The NBA Draft lottery! Listen in as we speculate about some exciting outcomes that could come to pass pre Lottery or feel free to jump ahead to 30 minutes in where we officially react to the lottery as it's taking place. In the final stages of the podcast we did a lottery Mock Draft to round out the show. Like, Rate and Follow the Feed! Follow The Drop Step on Twitter Here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow Nic on Twitter Here: https://twitter.com/_nicthomas Check out Nic's full Mock Draft and Substack Here: https://nicthomas.substack.com/p/2024-nba-mock-draft-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will everyone be 7ft tall? Will everyone be hitting stepback 3's? Are solo Rim Protectors a thing of the past? Mike Gribanov, Draft analyst and youth Basketball expert joins the podcast to talk about the future of the NBA and some of the untapped advantages that teams may well look to exploit as we enter the back half of the 2020's. We talk about why it's important not to pidgeon hole prospects into specific roles, some of the stand out players from the 2025 class and some favourites from 2024 too. Favourite young cores in the NBA, the transition to even more transition in Basketball, it all comes up with Mike! Had an absolute blast recording with Mike, be sure to check him out in the links below! Like, Rate and Follow the Feed! Follow The Drop Step on Twitter Here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow Mike on Twitter Here: https://twitter.com/mikegrib8 Check Out Mike's Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/Mikegrib8/posts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angst and anguish are apt words for describing the emotions and feeling of Minnesota sports fans for the best part of a century. Since George Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers sailed away to sunnier Western coast shores the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" has failed ot make a major splash on the USA sporting scene; all too often leaving their fans drowning in misery. But... Say it quietly. All that might be about to change. Minnesotan Basketball analysts Emmett Laurent and Andrew Dukowitz join the pod to recap the Wolves feasting on the Suns in their first round series. We speak about stand out performers like Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Nikeil Alexander Walker and dare to dream about making the finals. I had great fun with these two, particularly in discussing the defensive coverages Chris Finch and co employed to stop Phoenix; ball knowers of the highest order, make sure to go and check them out! Follow The Drop Step on Twitter Here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow Andrew on Twitter Here: https://twitter.com/adukeMN Follow Emmett on Twitter Here: https://twitter.com/emmettruns Check out Zone Coverage Here: https://zonecoverage.com/2024/timberwolves/why-hasnt-rudy-gobert-been-a-postseason-liability-in-minnesota/ Check out The Grenade Gallery Here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sCx2U6Ya9m09PdUrt7Bky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How healthy is Joel Embiid? What does a matchup against the Knicks look like for the 76ers? Dream off-season acquisitions... The 76ers are into the post season and we had Bryan Toporek on the pod to talk all about it! Listen in to hear about potential matchups, vanquishing Miami, Embiid speculation and roster analysis. Bryan's one of the best in the business when it comes to covering Philadelphia, make sure to check out his work down below! Check out Bryan on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/btoporek Check out Bryan on Forbes here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/ Listen to the NBA Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3QgMZcPKUV6IiQ10Y9gAaw Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to redefine the NBA stock market. For too long us NBA fans have "held onto stock" of draft busts; players presented as superstars who failed to live up to the premise they'd shown early in their hoops career and I say enough is enough. It's time to clear out your NBA stock portfolio, it's time to sell your timeshare on Frank Ntilikina island, dump your Killian Hayes equity, relinquish your Zaire Williams capital and start investing the right way. Chuck of Chucking Darts podcast fame joined me to start this revolution as we each picked the 5 guys we think will see their stock rise the most over the next calendar year of NBA hoops. Listen in as we discuss an exciting Utah rookie pair, two Hawks set to soar, a Grizzlie who might have just signed the best value contract in the NBA and a potential superstar who looks like he's been messing with the sliders on 2K. This was a really fun episode to record, Chuck is genuinely one of the best people in the NBA space and if the NBA stock market was real I think he'd make a killing! Check the episode out and let us know who's stock is set to rise the highest over the next year in the NBA! Check out the Chucking Darts podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LC9VGKrFdKeeOhYZ1bl6H Check out the Chucking Darts Substack here: https://substack.com/@chuckingdarts Drop Chuck a follow on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ChuckingDarts Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you prioritise when you have the greatest prospect perhaps in the history of the NBA blossoming before your very own eyes? The San Antonio Spurs have to answer this question. With Victor Wembanyama in house; they have an opportunity very rafrely afforded to other franchises. Contend now? Trade a glut of the 12 first round picks they have stashed for the next 7 years to build an overnight contender around their French phenom? Or take it slow, evaluate the young core of players you have in house, mine the draft for gold and hope to build a dynasty that can match the great success of the Tim Duncan era? Lifelong Spurs fan and host of The Vic and Roll, Noah Magaro-George joins the show to help guide us through these questions! We talk about the likes of Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and Blake Wesley. We discuss potential All-Stars who could come onto the market that San Antonio could pair with Vic sooner rather than later and ultimately have a great conversation about what might be the NBA's next dynasty! This was a ton of fun to record. Check out Noah, follow the feed, share with a friend and rate the podcast! Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow The Vic and Roll on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/Vic_And_Roll Follow Noah on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/N_Magaro Check out Noah's Rob Dillingham piece: vicandroll.substack.com Check out my patience with the Spurs piece: www.fansfirstsports.com/nba/patience-the-case-for-taking-it-slow-with-victor-wembanyama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The quadruple threat himself, Mr Esfandiar Baraheni, joins the podcast to talk about one thing... Future All-Stars! We go through guys still on their rookie deals and discuss how certain we are that they'll make an All-Star team one day. We go into detail on the likes of Brandon Miller, Amen Thompson, Jalen (Top 20 Player) Williams, Franz Wagner and a load more exciting young players. We coin a new phrase, disgree on Jaden McDaniels and overall just have a great time talking about some of the leagues best young players. Check it out! Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Follow Es on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/JustEsBaraheni Check out his Pod with Chuck Taylor here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0oyN2fQNE3O1QkOKlnCzpj?si=1be4e28d282e4690 Es' Forbes article on MIP teams: https://www.forbes.com/sites/esfandiarbaraheni/2024/03/09/the-nbas-all-most-improved-teams-for-the-2023-2024-season/?sh=2f84c1e4189a Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long time draft analyst Richard Stayman aka Mavsdraft joins the podcast to talk Prospect Hall of Fame! Rich has been scouting the draft since 2017 so I asked him questions like "Who are the three best bigs you've scouted?", "Who was your biggest miss?", "Who's the best player you've ever scouted that you knew wouldn't make it in the NBA?" and a whole lot more. Through the episode we talk about draft philosophy, avoiding comparisons (as fun as they are) and why perfect scouting doesn't mean perfect results! Rich was a blast to have on, check him out in the links below! The Drop Step Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Rich's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/MavsDraft The Mavsdraft website: https://mavsdraft.com/ Rate the podcast if you enjoyed the listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

XJ and Geoff of The Hot Hand Theory join the podcast to talk dark horse title contenders in a two hour extravaganza! Are the Knicks the best placed team in the Eastern Conference to beat Boston? Can the Cavs overcome having... too many stars? And be a contender for the championship and is Luka Doncic closer to being the best player in the NBA than outside the top 5? All that and tonnes more in an episode that was a blast to record. This was part 2 of this episode so if you missed part 1 be sure to check out the feed to hear even more! Check out The Hot Hand Theory here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vezYZwD8FYL8SyUchQ6RP?si=a5f6cd8af6004986 Check out Geoff on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/FrankBarrett119 Check out XJ on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/xavierjdesigns Check out The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Check out The Hot Hand Theory on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/HotHandTheory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

XJ and Geoff of The Hot Hand Theory join the podcast to talk dark horse title contenders in a two hour extravaganza! We ask why the Bucks are so high in the eyes of the sports books, whether the Thunder have what it takes to escape the "young team" tag once and for all and whether Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson can truly blend on the offensive end in playoff situations. This was just part 1 of one of my favourite episodes I've recorded so far. Be sure to check the feed for part 2! Check out The Hot Hand Theory here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vezYZwD8FYL8SyUchQ6RP?si=a5f6cd8af6004986 Check out Geoff on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/FrankBarrett119 Check out XJ on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/xavierjdesigns Check out The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Check out The Hot Hand Theory on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/HotHandTheory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As play resumes post All-Star break it's fair to say that the Boston Celtics are many peoples championship favourites this year. They're sporting a +10.3 net rating, have Jayson Tatum as their best player, they're nearly winning 80% of their games. Boston has dominated the regular season thus far but how do they stack up to former championship winners? We can analyse matchups, strengths, weaknesses and paths to the final closer to the playoffs but for now, let's compare Boston to previous championship winners. Is Jayson Tatum truly a "Best Player on a Title team"? Do the Celts run deep enough after their trade deadline acquisitions? Could an overreliance on 3's be their undoing? Adam Taylor joined us to see how the Celts stack up and we had a great time comparing this team to old winners! Check out the episode! Check out Adam on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/AdamTaylorNBA Check out Celtics Blog here: https://www.celticsblog.com/ Check out The Drop Step Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Staff Writer at No Ceilings Nick Agar-Johnson joins to talk on a number of topics, his beloved Sacramento Kings, the 2024 NBA draft and the future of the NBA. Who's the most future proof prospect of the 2024 NBA class? Are their any potential Greg Munroe's, Jalil Okafor's? If we could add any archetype to the Sacramento Kings to make them contenders who would we add? Nick was a fantastic guest and I had him on at just the right time as No Ceilings have released V4 of their Big Board. Go and check it out, check out Nick's work and stay tuned for more content on The Drop Step! Like, Rate and Follow the Feed! Check out Nick here: https://twitter.com/NBAJohnson Check out No Ceilings here: https://twitter.com/NoCeilingsNBA Check out The Drop Step here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a landmark episode! Bryce Simon and Dyland Huntzinger return to the show for our first double guest feature! (Zach Lowe is quaking in his boots...) We talk Kentucky basketball and one of the most exciting rosters to pass through Jon Calipari's hands since that famous 14/15 team. Just how many players could we see drafted from Kentucky this year? What exactly is Reed Sheppard's ceiling? (Is he just going to average 55% from 3 for his career?) Does Rob Dillingham have what it takes to be a lottery pick? Can we fall in love too easily with theoretical bigs like Zvonimir Ivisic and Aaron Bradshaw? What exactly happens to those 17 years of scouting before the college season once guys like Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner hit slumps? It's was a fascinating episode from a draft perspective with two of my favourite people from the NBA community. Be sure to check them out down below! Follow Bryce's Twitter here: https://twitter.com/MotorCityHoops Follow Dylan's Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ThunderChats Follow the Topic: Thunder podcast here: https://twitter.com/OKCTopicThunder The Drop Step Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saskatoon and Raptors Republic reporter Samson Folk joins the podcast as the Raptors dive into a new era of basketball. Barnes, Barrett and Quickley make up the triumvirate that looks set to start the new era but will they be looking for sides to go with their young core or a main course to add to the menu. Samson and I discuss Scottie, IQ, potential trade targets around the league, draft strategy and a whole lot more. Which teams should the Raptors take influence from around the league? Are Beautiful Game Spurs rotations going to become more common? WIll everyone be abled to hit a stepback 3 by the end of the 2020's? I had a blast talking to Samson, if you enjoy the episode make sure to follow the feed, rate the podcast and share with a friend. Raptors Republic have already been the source of three of my guests; Louis, Tre and Samson do incredible work over there so be sure to check them out in teh links below; Raptors fan or not! Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Check out Samson on Twitter/X here: https://twitter.com/samfolkk Check out Raptors Republic here: https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/ Take a listen to The Rapcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tV23EdlafXwkSTMoDcIbj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the last 40 years 13 franchises have won a championship in the NBA. We've seen iconic duo's, Kobe and Shaq, Jordan and Pippen, Steph and Klay; but for every championship duo that goes down in history there are countless 1-2 punches that never quite made it. We spoke about them at the time but as their chance for glory faded they faded out of our conversations. Until today! Nick Andre joins the podcast to talk about some of his favourite underrated duo's of the last 40 years, reminding us that there's a lot more to the NBA than the team that lifts the Larry O'Brien at the end of each season. We talk Barkley, Garnett, Rose, Allen, Sprewell and so many more reviving some iconic teams, imaging these stars in the context of todays NBA. I had a blast with Nick talking about the past, about what if's, about how the league has evolved and shifted. I hope you enjoy listening! Rate the podcast, share with a friend and follow the feed for more great content! Check out Nick on Twitter/X here: https://twitter.com/NickAndreATR Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Check out Nick's series on his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/NickAndre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bleacher Report writer and life long Philly fan Bryan Toporek joins the show to preview the 76ers trade deadline by talking about the 5 teams that'll give them the toughest time in the post season. We talk about all the big names who might be available on the market, Pascal Siakam, Dejounte Murray, Zach LaVine to name a few. But to ascertain exactly who Philadelphia should be targeting at the trade deadline we talk through the playoffs. I go from 5-1 ranking the 76ers toughest potential opponents in the East, identifying current deficiencies with the 76ers roster in those matchups to tell us whether it makes sense to break the bank this year or stand pat, waiting for Free Agency to make a big move. This episode was a blast to record, if you enjoyed listening drop a follow, rating and share it with your friends! Check out Bryan on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/btoporek Check out Bryan on Forbes here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/ Listen to the NBA Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3QgMZcPKUV6IiQ10Y9gAaw Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join this weeks episode of The Drop Step as Keith Smith of Spotrac and I take you through the 2nd apron, the teams facing it and what they might do going forward. We talk Celtics, Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Warriors, Suns and Clippers, analysing exactly how each team has built to this point and how their futures might be impacted by the tight restrictions brought in by the new CBA. Will the Celtics retain both Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown long term? Can Minnesota keep this core intact as Karl Anthony-Towns starts his super-max extension, will Steve Balmer ever stop spending and has Sam Presti got a step up on the league for years to come? All that and more in an action packed episode! Follow The Drop Step on Twitter here:  https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Check out Spotrac and Keith's work here: https://www.spotrac.com/news/?author=Keith%20Smith Drop Keith a follow on Twitter/X here: https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA Check out the Front Office Show here: https://twitter.com/FrontOfficeShow If you enjoyed the episode drop a Like, Rating and follow the feed! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pistons losing streak is over but a top pick in the 2024 draft still seems all but guaranteed. Enter Bryce Simon! The co-host of Game Theory and Pistons Pulse joined us to talk his top 8 prospects in the 2024 class through a Detroit Pistons lense. We talk about the Pistons struggles this year, plans going forward, an ideal Cade situation, Jalen Duren's potential and how two big lineups are kind of working in Detroit this season. With those struggles for all to see we ultimately decide which bright young star could arrive in Motor City and help the franchise get back on track. Could it be Alex Sarr, Nikola Topic, Ja'Kobe Walter, Matas Buzelis or another young hooper that arrives in Detroit to save the day. Give the podcast a listen to find out! Bryce is the best and this was a blast to record. Check him out down below: Bryce's Twitter: https://twitter.com/MotorCityHoops The Drop Step Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scottie Barnes has broken out this year but simultaneously it seems the Raptors team construction has broken at the same time. Despite posting All-NBA level stats Barnes is currently leading this team to an 11-18 record due to having the wrong supporting cast. Picture Will Ferrell on Broadway; the talent is there but the situation isn't quite right. So, Tre of Raptors Republic fame joins The Drop Step and we get Scottie the supporting cast he needs. We each pick two role players, two sub-all stars and all-star level guys to compliment Barnes, imagining some cool lineups, mocking trades, but also exploring what Barnes needs around him, how this team could transform in the next few seasons and just how roster contruction works when we get to the NBA. It's an enthralling episode and I'd love to hear how you'd be building around Scottie in Massai Ujiri's shoes! Check out Tre on Raptors Republic here: https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/tag/pull-up-tre/ Drop Tre a follow on Twitter here:https://twitter.com/Pullup_Tre Follow the Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harrison Faigen re-joins the podcast as our first returning guest to talk about the things he loves. The Lakers, Anthony Davis on defence, T-Shirts as Christmas presents and most importantly.. The Cup!!! Listen in as we review the Lakers season so far talking about how LeBron James might be a jedi, the Anthony Davis vs Rudy Gobert debate, The Cam Reddish/Cristian Wood scale, playoff matchups and potential deadline day trade targets. It's an action packed episode with one of my favourite guests, tune in and if you enjoy make sure to check Harrison out! Don't forget to follow the feed, rate the podcast and share with a friend if you enjoyed the episode! Follow the Drop Step Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Check out Harrison's Twitter here: https://twitter.com/hmfaigen?s=20 Check out SBNation here: https://www.sbnation.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Lebron joins the show as we dive into the In-Season Tournament! We have our inaugural champions in the LA Lakers but there's so much more to dissect! We talk: Uniforms Courts Las Vegas The Group Stage format Point Differential! And then we talk about the knock out stages and our takeaways from every team to have made it to the quarter finals. Listen for the a potential path to the Knicks acquiring not one but two stars, debate over the Celtics, whether the Lakers need to make a big move at the deadline and so much more! This episode was a blast to record, if you enjoyed listening rate the podcast, follow the feed and let me know on my Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA Check out Chris here: https://twitter.com/OffTheBallPod https://linktr.ee/OffTheBallPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join this weeks episode of The Drop Step as No Ceilings draft expert Stephen Gillaspie and I dive into the NBA's sophomore stars! Former 2022 draftees are blossoming into stars of the league! We talk Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith Jr., Walker Kessler, Keegan Murray and so many more of the league's young prospects. We stumble onto a great Jalen Williams comparison, talk about college situations influencing draft position, potential what-if's of the last two years in the drafts and so much more! Stephen's great and you should check out his work on No Ceilings, it's only a matter of time until he's working down in South Beach with the Miami brain trust! Follow Stephen on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/StephenGHoops Follow No Ceilings on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/NoCeilingsNBA Check out The Drop Step Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA If you enjoyed the episode follow the show, rate it and share with a friend! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New coaches, same conference, vastly different expectations for the season... The Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks are two teams with things in common; one of them being that Louis Zatzman covers both excellently! It was a privilege to have Louis on, chopping up both teams, talking about stars of each roster like Scottie Barnes, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam and Damian Lillard. We discuss defensive identities, burning questions with both franchises, what are our expectations for both rosters for the rest of the season.... It was a fascinating episode to record, and hopefully a fascinating one to listen to, check it out! Check out Louis on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/LouisZatzman Check out The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBA You're missing out if you don't read Raptors Republic, find it here: https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/ If you enjoyed the episode by sure to rate the show, follow the feed and recomend to a friend! You can find me on Twitter above, I'd love to get some healthy discussion going with listeners so drop me a follow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices