The Pure Hoops Quick Hitters

Happy Holidays to everyone. While we still navigate the unknown as it relates to Covid and the NBA, we at Catch & Shoot 2.0 still felt we should hand out some presents to NBA players, coaches, fans, etc. To help out, our hosts Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong called on some special friends to assist with the gift-giving. Among those receiving gifts included Klay Thompson, Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, Stephen Curry, Ben Simmons and ...you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It all seems clear that the 76ers will move Ben Simmons at some point to continue to build around Joel Embiid in its quest to win a championship, but what potential moves make sense for both Simmons and the team? Can they get top-dollar for Simmons? Is it more advantageous to trade him before this season's deadline or in the off-season? Questions to be answered, for sure, and Locked on Sixers podcast host Serena Winters attempts to do just that in a lively discussion with our Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong. Check it out!!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A recent article by The Athletic's Eric Nehm described how the game of two-time league MVP and NBA Champion Giannis Antetokounmpo has evolved. Rob Peterson, the Sr. NBA Editor for The Athletic, and a Wisconsin native, takes us even further in the Greek Freak's journey from going all out all the time to learning how to slow down and break down plays. In his discussion with our Otto Strong and Bruce Bernstein, he describes how Giannis is able to dominate the game by involving his teammates and without always having to score.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Greg Anthony of Turner Sports has a really thoughtful discussion with Mike Wise about the Kyrie Irving situation in Brooklyn. While many observers blame Kyrie (who has declined to be vaccinated against COVID) for abandoning his teammates, Greg cites several other factors in the situation that will definitely make you think twice about who is to blame for Kyrie's absence from the Nets.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Chicago Bulls are off to a surprising start to this NBA season, and Zach LaVine's game is a big reason why. Four-time NBA Champion Will Perdue, now the Bulls TV Studio Analyst for NBC Sports Chicago, explains how a conversation with Gregg Popovich while playing for Team USA at the Olympics changed parts of LaVine's game, becoming a more willing defender and sacrificing some of his scoring game for the betterment of the team. Perdue also tells our Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong how LaVine has deferred some of the leadership role on the team to DeMar DeRozan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over 1700 players entered the NCAA's Transfer Portal this off season of college basketball. College hoops expert Howie Schwab joined the Catch & Shoot 2.0 podcast this week, and he tells our Aaron Berlin that while he's not a fan of the amount of players who entered the portal or the effect it had on teams who lost players to it, he does see how it has generated interest in the sport. He also gives us some teams that have used the portal to their benefit (like St. John's and Kentucky). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Quinton Mayo is a keen observer of the Washington Wizards and has great takes on the team's early season success. In this Buckets, Boards, & Blocks Quick Hitter, Quinton joins Monica McNutt and King McClure for a discussion on whether the team's hot start is sustainable over the course of 82 games and the postseason.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Despite off-the-court issues for the team's owner, the Phoenix Suns keep winning. A big credit for that is the leadership of their point guard, future Hall-of-Famer Chris Paul. The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin joined our Bruce Bernstein and Otto Strong and goes into great detail on how and why Paul has been more than a coach on the floor for the Suns... which includes him joining the coaches' huddle from time-to-time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is a two time NBA Most Valuable Player and a three time NBA Champion. At the age of 33, he is playing some of the best all around basketball of his career. Mike Wise welcomes Matt Steinmetz, who has covered the Warriors since 1996 for an examination of Curry's greatness as a player and as a person.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scottie Pippen's new autobiography, Unguarded, was released this past Tuesday, November 9th, and co-author Michael Arkush joined our Aaron Berlin and Bruce Bernstein to discuss the feelings of Pippen towards some of the other staples of the Bulls Dynasty of the 1990's: Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, and Jerry Krause. Arkush tells us that while Pippen wasn't necessarily friends with any of them off the court, he had great respect for all of them from a basketball standpoint.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Wise has a new favorite team: the Mexico City Capitanes. Since Mike moved to Mexico City, he's fully embraced the local G-League team that has yet to play a game in Mexico due to COVID restrictions. There are some cool stories and cool names on the team and Mike shares some of the best ones. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scottie Pippen's new book is coming out on November 9th. But Scottie has been in the news lately for other reasons. While he hasn't been Michael Jordan's teammate since 1998, he still has some beef with the GOAT. In this Quick Hitter from The Mike Wise Show, Mike and producer Bruce Bernstein examine the Scottie/MJ dynamic and lend some perspective to Scottie's feelings and whether they believe Scottie's feelings are justified. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Davion Mitchell helped lead Baylor to the NCAA Championship last season and is a rookie for the Sacramento Kings. He also happens to be good pals with Buckets, Boards, & Blocks co-host King McClure from their time as teammates in Waco. Davion's nickname is "off night" because the people he guards generally have an off night. Mitchell's defense is turning a lot of heads around the NBA and King and Monica discuss his impact on a young and improving Kings team.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Now that gambling is a business for the league and its gaming partners, what essential information does the league and its teams need to disclose in order for fans to be well-informed before they put their money on a game. Otto Strong, Aaron Berlin, and Bruce Bernstein discuss issues like injuries & load management, and how they can impact the point spreads in subtle ways. Does the league owe its betting fans the best information available? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The season has returned and so has the Catch & Shoot 2.0 podcast! In this week's Quick Hitter our guys Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong discuss all the drama that's taken place between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers ....and where does each side go from here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Wise and Bruce Bernstein examine the issues surrounding Kyrie Irving's decision to not be vaccinated against COVID-19 in spite of the effect it's having on the Brooklyn Nets.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this quick hitter from the fourth and final episode of the Mike Wise Show's four part series on the North Carolina Basketball Family, Tar Heel legends George Karl, George Lynch, and Matt Doherty have some laughs with Mike and co-host Bruce Bernstein over a story that Tar Heel legend Sam Perkins tells about Coach Karl when they were together with the NBA's Seattle Sonics. As our panelists listen to Sam tell the story, they're all laughing at the utterly ridiculous situation George put himself in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this quick hitter from part three of the Mike Wise Show's four part series on the North Carolina Basketball Family, Tar Heel legends George Karl, George Lynch, and Matt Doherty explain to Mike and co-host Bruce Bernstein how Coach Dean Smith's leadership style held everyone accountable, but instilled discipline and values that have served all of the family members well.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been busy the last two weeks, trading for Russell Westbrook and signing Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard, Kendrick Nunn, Wayne Ellington, Kent Bazemore, Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk in free agency. But with a roster currently holding eight players 30 or older -- and five who are 35 or older -- is the Lake Show set for another NBA Title run? Our guys Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong break it down. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this quick hitter from part two of the Mike Wise Show's four part series on the North Carolina Basketball Family, Tar Heel legends George Karl, George Lynch, and Matt Doherty explain to Mike and co-host Bruce Bernstein why the bonds between Carolina players and staff that were created in Chapel Hill when they were teenagers have endured for generations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kyle Lowry is a multi-time All-Star and an NBA Champion, and Yahoo! Sports Senior NBA Writer Vincent Goodwill explains that once you've tasted the champagne, it's hard to settle for just a can of beer. That's why Lowry was more than happy to agree to the sign-and-trade that sent him for the Raptors to Miami, Goodwill telling all this to our Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong using an analogy to properties on a Monopoly board. Goodwill also discusses how Riley's "Heat Culture" continues to reel in some of the NBA big fishes and why some of this might have to do with the one that got away (LeBron James). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this quick hitter from part one of the Mike Wise Show's four part series on the North Carolina Basketball Family, Tar Heel legends George Karl, George Lynch, and Matt Doherty explain how coach Dean Smith was caring and compassionate but also demanding. Coach Smith stressed the importance of education and held his players to a very high standard both on and off the court. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cade Cunningham is considered by many to be the top prospect in the 2021 NBA Draft, and Adam Stanco, our old co-host and now VP and Executive Producer at 247 Sports, thinks he will be special. How special? Well ...Stanco believes his rare combined scoring and distribution ability could eventually lead him to an enshrinement ceremony in Springfield. Stanco gives our Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong a full breakdown of what makes Cunningham stand out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cade Cunningham has been projected as the #1 overall pick in the July 29th NBA Draft for months. Why is this 6'8" wing from Oklahoma State so clearly the top talent in a draft class that many feel is historically good? ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks, who is an authority on player evaluation and front office strategy explains how Cunningham's combination of measurable and non-measurable skills make him the type of player that has the proverbial "IT Factor." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Buckets, Boards, & Blocks Quick Hitter features Monica McNutt and Vinnie Goodwill of Yahoo! Sports discussing how the seeds for this year's NBA Championship team from Milwaukee were planted last summer in the Orlando Bubble when the team staged a walkout over the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was known as the Greek Freak from the first time we saw him 8 years ago. He added the label of "Medical Freak" earlier this month when he came back from a hyperextended knee injury that was feared to be season ending and played some of the most remarkable ball of his career in the NBA Finals, capped by 50 points in the deciding game. In this Quick Hitter from the Mike Wise Show, Mike and Bruce Bernstein show their appreciation of Giannis as they reflect on the Bucks historic title run and his singular contributions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks is an authority on many topics such as the salary cap, player evaluation, the mind games played between team executives, and front office strategy. In this Mike Wise Show Quick Hitter, Bobby tells Bruce Bernstein (filling in for Mike) that Lottery teams like Detroit, Houston, & Cleveland approach the draft differently than a "Lottery Team" like the Golden State Warriors who have the 7th and 14th picks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Budenholzer is one win away from leading the Bucks to an NBA Title, yet there are still plenty of critics of his coaching style and ability. ESPN Radio's Marc Kestecher discusses with our Aaron Berlin and Otto Strong the love/hate relationship the Milwaukee fans and media have with Coach Bud. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Earlier in the playoffs, Charles Barkley of TNT said he believed the Milwaukee Bucks would win the NBA Championship but they were not a smart team. His words sound prophetic right now. In this Quick Hitter from Buckets, Boards, & Blocks, Monica McNutt and King McClure welcome Freddie Coleman from ESPN Radio. They discuss how the Bucks seem to make things difficult for themselves at times, but always seem to find a way to overcome adversity and win big games. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Deandre Ayton is having a breakout campaign in his first ever NBA Playoffs, helping the Phoenix Suns reach the Finals. Still, Meadowlark Media and SiriusXM NBA Radio's Amin Elhassan, who once was a front office man for the Suns from 2006-2012, says the right choice for Phoenix when they had the #1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft was to select Luka Doncic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week's Quick Hitter from the Mike Wise Show, Mike and Bruce discuss their favorite breakout performer of the NBA Finals: Emily from YouTube TV. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this Catch & Shoot 2.0 Quick Hitter, Otto Strong, Aaron Berlin, & Dave Wohl discuss why Chris Paul's style of leadership is more effective in Phoenix than it was when CP3 was on the LA Clippers. And Dave knows better than anyone. Why? Because he was the GM of the Clippers during Paul's years in LA.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sam Mitchell joined BJ Armstrong and Eric Newman on the Pure Hoops Podcast and shared memories of the Bulls vs Pacers battles of the 1990s highlighted by what happened when Sam talked trash to Michael Jordan during one of those intense Chicago Indiana battles. This will now be known as "THE BALD HEAD MJ STORY" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Paul is a future Hall of Famer and nobody will argue that he isn't. But while hoop immortals like Patrick Ewing & Charles Barkley are enshrined in Springfield, neither won an NBA Championship. If CP3 leads Phoenix to a title, he will have done something in his 16th NBA season that moves him closer to the "Mt. Rushmore" of point guards. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are three NBA teams that have open head coaching positions. The Pelicans, Wizards, and Magic are considering their options, including the possibility of hiring a qualified woman for the job. If one of the teams does pick a woman, it will require courage on the part of the organization as well as "buy in" from the team's star player(s). On this week's Quick Hitter from the Buckets, Boards, & Blocks crew, Monica McNutt, King McClure, & Bruce Bernstein examine the issues that will factor into the decisions each team must make. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rob Peterson, Senior NBA Editor for The Athletic, discusses how Khris Middleton has ascended from D-Leaguer to All-Star and key component in the Milwaukee Bucks run to a potential NBA Finals appearance. Peterson describes how the relationship between Middleton and superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has evolved over time, explaining they didn't start out as the best of friends, but have come to rely on each other to take this team to its highest level since 1974. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Monday, the Celtics formally announced Ime Udoka as their new head coach. Chauncey Billups will soon be officially named as Portland's head coach, and Nate McMillan will likely have the "interim" label removed in Atlanta. So while African American head coaches have become commonplace in the NBA, we're still waiting for the first Woman to get a head coaching job. Which team will have the courage to go first? Mike Wise and Bruce Bernstein examine these topics in the new Quick Hitter from the Mike Wise Show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sam Mitchell joined BJ Armstrong and Eric Newman on the Pure Hoops Podcast and shared in detail the intensity and physicality of the Knicks vs Pacers rivalry of the 1990s. The Knicks and Pacers faced each other in five different playoff series in the 1990s highlighted by a seven game thrillers in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals and 1995 Eastern Conference Finals. With players such as Reggie Miller, Dale Davis, Antonio Davis, Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, John Starks and Anthony Mason, this was one of the fiercest rivalries during the epic decade of the 1990s. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sam Mitchell joined BJ Armstrong and Eric Newman on the Pure Hoops Podcast and shared how former NBA All-Star and current Memphis Tigers coach Penny Hardaway helped Cameron Payne get back on the NBA track. Payne is now playing a key role backing up Chris Paul for the Phoenix Suns who are trying to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993, and win the first title in franchise history. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike was not selected for the USA Olympic basketball team. She is the only MVP from the "W" to not compete in the Olympics. Monica McNutt, Cindy Brunson of the Pac 12 Network, and producer Bruce Bernstein discuss what happened and why this icon of Women's hoop will not be in Tokyo competing for her country. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With Becky Hammon under serious consideration for the head coaching opening in Portland, who better to speak to women becoming NBA head coaches then Hall of Famer and Phoenix Suns and Mercury TV Analyst Ann Meyers Drysdale. A trailblazer herself (pun somewhat intended) for being the first women to sign an NBA contract, Meyers Drysdale says a women being and NBA head coach will happen, but that it will take a supportive GM and organization who are willing to take and stand up to any criticism that comes their way. To those who suggest this should happen at the lower levels first, Meyers Drysdale points out that this has already happened in the G-League (Nancy Lieberman, Brittni Donaldson). She also discusses with our Otto Strong and Aaron Berlin how the younger generation of NBA player are more accepting of women as coaches. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Quick Hitter from Dave's Front Office, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management joins Dave Wohl. Jeff is the top agent in the NBA and his company is one of the most successful in the world. When it comes to athletes and the use of social media, Dave and Jeff discuss the advice he gives his players on the use of these new communications platforms. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Quick Hitter from the Mike Wise Show, 80 year old Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown, who coached 9 NBA teams, two ABA teams, and several high profile college teams shares a very intimate story about respecting players as men. And when he goes into his relationship with Allen Iverson ("We talkin 'bout practice"), his revelation about some of the feelings they have for each other will make your jaw drop. For real! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BJ Armstrong and Eric Newman examine and debate the Bucks offense and how crucial it is for Giannis to live in the paint.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two time MVP Giannis Antetokounpo is considered to be a superstar by most NBA fans. But the Buckets, Boards, & Blocks crew asks some tough questions that may cause some to rethink that label. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.