Podcast appearances and mentions of Darius Garland

They evaluate whether the James Harden acquisition was a mistake compared to keeping Darius Garland and analyze the numbers behind their on-court performance. The discussion also covers the culture of sports nicknames in Cleveland, from Chase DeLauter to Baker Mayfield, and features NFL draft insights from Daniel Jeremiah. 01:20 - Guardians Player Nicknames 06:53 - Baker Mayfield Nicknames 09:15 - Local Media Nickname History 11:02 - Daniel Jeremiah Draft Analysis 16:21 - James Harden Trade Debate 22:12 - Jrue Holiday Trade Scenarios 28:46 - Evaluating Player Success Metrics 32:41 - Defensive Impact Comparison 37:34 - Cavaliers Special Anniversary Tease

Ken Carman pushes back hard on the growing narrative that the James Harden trade was a bust, walking through the numbers and arguing the on-off splits clearly show Harden was a real upgrade over Darius Garland, especially defensively. He and Lima debate what "failure" even means for a team that made a deeper playoff run than anyone expected, and Carman draws a line between not winning a championship and being an outright disaster, pointing to the Knicks' OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges trades as proof narratives can flip fast. The two also touch on Daniel Jeremiah's comparison of Brendan Sorsby to Jaxson Dart before wrapping up ahead of their interview with Cavaliers CMO Chris Kaiser.

The Miami Heat have been mired in the play-in.  Should they pursue Giannis to get them out of it? What about lower-level moves for someone like Ja Morant or Darius Garland? How would those moves work? Join Dunc'd On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.Or, sign up for our FREE mailing list to get Dan Feldman's Daily Duncs with all the major topics around the league twice a week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hour 2 of Jake & Ben on June 5, 2026 North Carolina Writer Aaron Beard talks Caleb Wilson, Why is he forgotten about next to Other Top Prospects? Rich Paul Reveals he almost had Darius Garland Traded to San Antonio instead of De'Aaron Fox Utah Defensive End Lance Holtzclaw Talked about his experiences with Agents

Ken and Anthony Lima analyze Darius Garland's recent comments on Lonzo Ball's podcast regarding his struggles with the Cavaliers and his time in Los Angeles. They also debate the feasibility of LeBron James returning to Cleveland and react to Ross Tucker's comments about the lifestyle differences between Southern California and Northeast Ohio. 01:06 - NBA Finals Tonight 02:01 - Darius Garland Cavs Comments 06:51 - LeBron And Lifestyle Debate

They evaluate whether the Cleveland Browns should pursue quarterback Brendan Sorsby in the supplemental draft despite his history with sports gambling. The conversation transitions to Darius Garland's recent comments about his time in Cleveland and the general perception of the city's lifestyle compared to Los Angeles. 01:50 - Browns QB Draft Dilemma 05:20 - Character vs Talent Debate 08:48 - Case for Brendan Sorsby 13:19 - Fan Reaction to Sorsby 19:00 - Smartphone Gambling Culture 23:30 - Future Draft Assets Strategy 31:55 - Darius Garland Cavs Comments 36:40 - Cleveland vs LA Lifestyle

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze the fallout from the blockbuster Myles Garrett trade and Jim Schwartz's decision to resign from the Cleveland Browns. They also debate the potential of supplemental draft prospect Brendan Sorsby and address Darius Garland's recent comments about his former team. 02:36 - Carman's Morning Traffic Incident 08:05 - Browns Fans Emotional Connection 13:42 - Lack Of Franchise Quarterback 22:19 - Andrew Barry Trade Narrative 29:34 - Jim Schwartz Breaks Silence 36:02 - Pressure On Todd Monken 45:12 - Evaluating Head Coaching Candidates 53:40 - Defending The Garrett Return 01:00:12 - Andrew Barry GM Future 01:12:34 - Garrett And Stefanski Relationship 01:18:53 - Denzel Ward Trade Assets 01:26:57 - Brendan Sorsby Prospect Debate 01:34:13 - Exhaustion With QB Search 01:43:58 - Caller Reactions To Rebuild 01:50:46 - Darius Garland Cavs Comments 01:59:04 - Ross Tucker Critiques Move 02:09:17 - Seeking New Team Leadership 02:16:11 - Sacks Versus Analytics Debate 02:25:24 - Evaluating Garrett Trade Return 02:36:33 - Weinermobile Traffic Incident

Nick and Jonathan debate whether a viral '6'7' bit has officially run its course after finding an article claiming the trend is dead. The conversation then shifts to Darius Garland's recent comments about rediscovering his joy in Los Angeles and how Cleveland fans are reacting to his departure from the Cavaliers. 01:00 - Debating the 6'7" Bit 03:23 - Darius Garland's Joy Back 05:23 - Cavs Fans and Garland

Nick and Jonathan are joined by James Palmer, NFL Insider at Bleacher Report. Also, they question when the Browns will be competitive again, and they react to Darius Garland's comments about the end of the Cavs season.

They analyze the Cleveland Cavaliers' disappointing playoff sweep and the impact of the James Harden for Darius Garland trade. The conversation shifts to the evolving value of small guards in the NBA and explores the feasibility of LeBron James returning to Cleveland for a retirement tour.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima reflect on the Cleveland Cavaliers' season-ending sweep and the uncertain future of head coach Kenny Atkinson. They analyze Donovan Mitchell's post-game comments regarding a potential LeBron James return and debate the trade value of Darius Garland. They also explore rumors of bringing in Giannis Antetokounmpo or blowing up the roster entirely. 02:03 - Donovan Mitchell Post-Game 06:00 - Bills and Patriots Comparison 10:12 - Darius Garland Trade Value 13:13 - LeBron James Return Rumors 18:18 - Kenny Atkinson Messaging Problems 22:12 - Cavs Building vs Rebuilding 26:03 - Donovan Mitchell Contract Talk 32:40 - Regressing and Roster Regret 36:45 - NBA Small Guard Trend 40:05 - LeBron's Potential Retirement Tour

Nick Wilson and Jonathan Peterlin explore reports that Kenny Atkinson will continue as the head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers with the backing of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Callers express their concerns about the team's offensive identity and debate whether the front office should pursue major roster changes or maintain continuity following a disappointing postseason finish. 01:00 - Kenny Atkinson Remaining Coach 04:10 - Leo Questions Team Offense 06:33 - Todd Critiques Cavs Roster 08:44 - Big Whiskey Evaluates Atkinson 10:15 - Debating The Cavaliers Mentality

Ken and Lima analyze the Cavaliers' playoff struggles, questioning if Donovan Mitchell's injuries are limiting the team's postseason potential. The discussion explores potential off-season trades for Darius Garland and the impact of James Harden's performance against the Knicks.

Terry Pluto joined Baskin and Phelps to share his takeaways from the Cavaliers' seven game series with the Pistons and what he thinks clicked for the team to allow them such a dominant win in game 7. He explained why he doesn't think the Cavs would have made it this far with Darius Garland and whether or not James Harden will be back in Cleveland next season.

Ken makes the unfiltered case that the James Harden trade was the only move the Cavs could have made given the roster's salary constraints, depleted draft capital, and Darius Garland's depressed trade value — and anyone still calling it a mistake isn't watching the games. The bigger honest admission is that this window is likely two years max before the roster gets broken up, which makes tonight's Game 6 and whatever comes after it feel genuinely urgent in a way Cleveland fans haven't experienced since LeBron was here. With Harden holding Detroit to 37.5 percent shooting while carrying the offensive load for 43 minutes in Game 5, the trust debate is shifting — but Ken isn't pretending the squeamishness disappears completely when a must-win game six is on the line.

Sirius XM NBA Radio's Brian Geltzeiler joins Ken and Lima and agrees with Ken's take that a Cavs road win tonight would effectively end the series, but pumps the brakes by pointing out that Cleveland's physical toughness on the road has been a real problem all postseason and Detroit gets an extra boost from their own building. Geltzeiler makes an interesting tactical suggestion that the Cavs need to focus less on stopping Cade Cunningham, who they simply cannot contain, and more on shutting down Tobias Harris, who has been Detroit's crucial second scorer throughout the series. On the Harden trade, Geltzeiler says the logic is sound and it's working so far, but warns that if the Cavs lose this series the deal will be judged harshly for years as Cleveland watches a 26-year-old Darius Garland flourish in LA. On LeBron, Geltzeiler throws cold water on the Cleveland reunion talk, saying he thinks LeBron stays in California and that bringing him back could actually undermine Donovan Mitchell's sense of ownership over the franchise right before a critical contract extension decision.

Lima and Spencer evaluate the impact of the James Harden trade, arguing that his physicality and veteran presence provide a higher ceiling than Darius Garland. They discuss the team's search for a definitive identity under Kenny Atkinson as they prepare for a pivotal series against Detroit. 01:04 - Cavaliers Identity Issues 04:17 - Harden Versus Garland Trade 10:40 - Pistons Playoff Series Preview

Ken Karman shares his appreciation for Todd Monken's authentic coaching style and the unique freedom he brings to his new role. The conversation shifts to the Cavaliers' playoff series against the Raptors, highlighting how James Harden's defensive contributions have surpassed expectations compared to Darius Garland. 01:25 - Sports News Update 04:05 - Todd Monken Coaching 09:00 - Cavs Playoff Outlook 11:01 - James Harden Impact 15:58 - Good Nature Rescue

Danny Cunningham joins Ken and Lima to dissect the Cleveland Cavaliers' collapse against the Toronto Raptors. They debate the team's mental toughness and scrutinize the performance of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland during the road loss. The conversation also covers Kenny Atkinson's coaching decisions and frustrations regarding several officiating calls.

Ken Carmen and Anthony Lima discuss the Cavaliers' playoff series against the Toronto Raptors and the team's rising championship odds. They debate James Harden's performance and a potential fit over Darius Garland while Ken hilariously struggles to fit into a small Cavs shirt for their YouTube audience. The conversation also covers the Guardians' recent loss and potential late-round targets for the Browns in the NFL Draft.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima evaluate the Cleveland Browns' draft priorities at pick number six, debating the merits of adding a wide receiver versus an offensive lineman. They also analyze the Cavaliers' playoff run, comparing James Harden to Darius Garland, and address Andrew Berry's comments on Myles Garrett's absence from voluntary workouts. 01:51 - Chisenhall Comparisons 06:29 - Cavaliers Arena Atmosphere 10:00 - Cavs Postseason Intensity 19:58 - Harden versus Garland 23:40 - Browns Draft Strategy 34:15 - Berry on Myles Garrett

DIE HARD Clipper Fan SOUNDS OFF On Missing Playoffs, Franchise Direction, & Kawhi In this signature end of the season video, Clipper Season Ticket Holder Dime Dropper reflects on the 2025-26 Clippers season after watching all 83 games & attending 30. He talks about the massive disappointment in missing the Playoffs, the losses to the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trailblazers, where the franchise should go, and his honest thoughts on Kawhi Leonard, Lawrence Frank, Darius Garland, & Ty Lue.  Why Are We Here: 0:00-9:19 Ty Lue: 9:19-13:26 Kawhi: 13:26-21:00 DG: 21:00-24:55 Lawrence Frank: 24:55-28:32 Harden Trade: 28:38-34:57 Joy back: 34:58 Also available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/9UDUXF-r6j0 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: https://x.com/DimeDropperPod Instagram & TikTok: @dimedropperpod

Segment One: Lakers' Grit and the Clippers' Crossroads Host Grant Mona is joined by Demetrius Beaver and Mykell Mathieu to break down a tale of two franchises. While the Lakers opened their postseason with a statement win, the Clippers are left picking up the pieces of an abrupt exit. Lakers Game 1 Masterclass: Grant and the panel react to the Lakers' 107–98 victory over the Rockets. Even without Luka and Reaves, Luke Kennard's 27-point explosion and LeBron's playmaking (13 assists) showed that the Lakers' "competitive stamina" is real. The "Ayton Factor": Demetrius points out how Deandre Ayton outworked the Rockets' frontcourt, a matchup that could define the series. Mykell asks if the Rockets, even with Kevin Durant sidelined, can handle a Lakers defense that looks more locked in than it did during the regular season. Clippers' "Toddler" Timeline: The group pivots to the Intuit Dome, where a 126–121 Play-In loss to the Warriors ended the season. Grant analyzes Lawrence Frank's end-of-season presser, specifically the commitment to "win with Kawhi" while simultaneously pivoting to a younger core featuring Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin. Panel Debate: Is "building a bridge" to the future while keeping a 35-year-old Leonard realistic? Mykell argues the Clippers have finally found a direction, while Demetrius questions if the "contender" window is officially shut. Segment Two: Draft Season | Lottery Luck & NFL Prospects The focus shifts to the future as the NBA Draft Lottery looms and the NFL Draft arrives in just three days. NBA Draft Lottery Odds: Grant breaks down the stakes for the Clippers. Thanks to the Paul George trade of 2019, the Thunder control the Clippers' pick, which currently has a 1.5% chance at No. 1. The Pacers Protection: There is a silver lining. If the Indiana Pacers' pick (which the Clippers own via the Mathurin/Zubac trade) falls to 5th or 6th, it belongs to LA. Currently, there is a 48% chance the Clippers land a top-six selection through this pick. NFL Draft Preview: With the Las Vegas Raiders on the clock at No. 1, Grant and the guests look at the top prospects. The QB Sweepstakes: Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) is the consensus top pick, but the panel discusses whether the Giants' trade for Dexter Lawrence signals a shift in the top 10. Produced by: Grant Mona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Anthony Lima and Ken Carman evaluate James Harden's impact on the Cavaliers' postseason performance following a game-one victory. They compare his elite playmaking to Darius Garland's style and discuss the career of journalist Jason Lloyd.

Host Grant Mona breaks down a defining weekend for Los Angeles basketball. We start at Crypto.com Arena, where the short-handed Lakers won a physical Game 1. Then, we head to Inglewood, where Clippers President Lawrence Frank faced the music following a disappointing early exit. Segment One: Lakers Take Game 1 | The Kennard & LeBron Connection The Los Angeles Lakers opened their first-round series with a gritty 107–98 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night. Despite playing without leading scorers Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique), the Lakers found a way to clamp down when it mattered most. Luke's Career Night: Grant reacts to Luke Kennard's massive performance. Stepping into the starting lineup, Kennard delivered a team-high 27 points and hit five triples, providing the spacing the Lakers desperately needed. LeBron the Facilitator: At 41, LeBron James continues to defy age. Grant breaks down LeBron's "Point-Forward" masterclass, finishing with 19 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds. His ability to settle the game in the fourth quarter against Houston's young pressure was the difference. The Defensive Blueprint: We hear from JJ Redick on how the Lakers held Alperen Sengun and the Rockets to under 100 points. Redick praised the "competitive stamina" of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, noting that this series will be won in the trenches. Segment Two: Lawrence Frank on the Clippers' Future | "Win with Kawhi" Following the Clippers' Play-In loss to the Warriors, President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank held his end-of-season press conference on Friday to address a franchise at a crossroads. The Commitment to Kawhi: Grant analyzes Frank's definitive statement: "Our plan is to win with Kawhi." Despite Leonard sidestepping questions about his future after the loss, Frank reaffirmed that the Clippers intend to sit down with the superstar this offseason to align their goals for the final year of his contract. Three Areas of Improvement: Frank was blunt about where the roster failed this season. Grant breaks down the three priorities Frank listed for the summer: Rebounding, secondary ball-handling, and shooting. The "Bridge to Contender": We hear Frank's perspective on the mid-season moves—specifically the Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin trades. Frank believes the team has built a "bridge" to being a contender again with emerging young talent and draft capital, but Grant questions if the "toddler" timeline fits Kawhi's veteran window. Produced by: Grant Mona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze the long-term impact of the trade involving Darius Garland and James Harden following Garland's comments on his injury struggles. They discuss the Cavaliers' playoff expectations and whether Koby Altman made the right move prioritizing veteran presence over often-injured young talent.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze the fallout of Darius Garland's early playoff exit and the implications for the Cavaliers' long-term roster construction. They also dive into Cleveland Browns draft strategies, debating whether the team should trade down to stockpile assets for the 2027 quarterback class. 02:11 - Cavs Playoff Identity 06:45 - Garland's Chronic Injuries 13:25 - Evan Mobley's Development 19:35 - Kenyon Sadiq Scouting 25:01 - Browns Front Office Trust 32:30 - Trading Down Strategy 47:00 - NFL Draft Roster Needs 53:00 - NBA Eastern Conference Contenders 58:08 - Guardians Baserunning Mistakes 01:09:10 - Rookie Extension Conversations 01:17:34 - Replacement Referee Concerns 01:22:00 - Smelling Salts Trend 01:28:15 - Burke Airport Redevelopment 01:36:55 - Mary Kay Cabot Joins 01:50:10 - Planning For 2027 QB 02:19:30 - Garland Trade Evaluation

Ken and Lima discuss the Cleveland Browns' draft strategy, debating whether to trade the No. 6 pick for future assets or focus on immediate impact players. They also analyze the Cleveland Cavaliers' trade of Darius Garland for James Harden following Garland's comments about playing through recurring injuries. Callers weigh in on the importance of building for the future versus winning with current stars like Myles Garrett. 01:17 - Pop Culture and Golf 02:53 - Browns Draft Strategy Debate 11:52 - Callers on Browns Future 16:17 - Garland's Injury and Trade 27:11 - Harden's Role in Playoffs

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima bring in producer John to analyze Darius Garland's defensive struggles and whether the Cavaliers made a mistake regarding his trade value. They also examine the trend of massive MLB prospect extensions and the NFL's preparations to use replacement referees as the current CBA deadline approaches.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima discuss the Clippers' elimination and what it means for former Cavalier Darius Garland as he continues to struggle with a lingering toe injury. They weigh the sympathy felt for Garland against the relief of trading for James Harden to maximize Donovan Mitchell's championship window.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze the Cleveland Cavaliers' playoff outlook following the departure of Darius Garland and the arrival of James Harden. They debate the Cleveland Browns' strategy for the upcoming NFL Draft, specifically addressing Sal Paolantonio's suggestion to take Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the sixth overall pick. The discussion highlights concerns over roster management and whether the team should trade back in a draft perceived to have a talent drop-off. 01:50 - Cavs Playoff Readiness 06:05 - Darius Garland Trade 13:15 - Evan Mobley Sheriff 18:34 - Browns Draft Strategy 21:50 - Kenyon Sadiq Debate 25:45 - Roster Management Issues 33:30 - Trading Down Analysis 39:41 - Pick Accumulation Debate

Munaf Manji talks betting for Thursday. Munaf Manji flies solo on Thursday's Cash That Ticket on the Straight Outta Vegas AM feed, opening with a transparent 0-2 recap from Wednesday — the Mariners-Padres under collapsed when San Diego scored five in the ninth to walk it off after trailing six-nothing, and Uncle Dave's Magic team total over fell flat in a defensive second half — before recapping both NBA play-in results from Wednesday night, where the Philadelphia 76ers eliminated the Orlando Magic 109–97 behind 31 points from Tyrese Maxey and strong second-half defensive adjustments that slowed down Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane, advancing to face the Boston Celtics as the seven seed, while the Orlando Magic remain alive for the eight seed through Friday's second-chance game, and Stephen Curry erupted for 35 points on 7-of-12 from three in the second half to lead the Golden State Warriors past the LA Clippers despite an eight-point halftime deficit, with Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland's strong first half not enough to hold off Curry's takeover, sending the Warriors to face the Phoenix Suns on Friday for the Western Conference eight seed with the winner taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder in round one. Munaf also addresses LaMelo Ball receiving $60,000 in total fines rather than a suspension for his flagrant trip on Bam Adebayo, noting the response would almost certainly have been different with Draymond Green's history attached, and he briefly celebrates A'ja Wilson — the WNBA's first-ever four-time MVP — re-signing with the Las Vegas Aces on a three-year $5 million supermax deal, the largest contract in WNBA history. On the MLB side Munaf walks through early-season trends including Tampa Bay Rays going over in 80 percent of their games, Cleveland Guardians going 7-1 straight up after a loss, and Dodgers going 4-0 after a loss before breaking down three Thursday games: Orioles at Guardians where Parker Messick carries a 0.51 ERA and 0.91 WHIP into his fourth start of the year against Shane Baz; Rockies at Astros where Tomoyuki Sugano has been quietly excellent but faces a Houston lineup Manji trusts at home leading him to the Astros team total over four and a half at minus-115; and Mariners at Padres in the rematch of Wednesday's walk-off thriller where he likes Luis Castillo to bounce back and the Seattle team total over four and a half at plus-105. His best bet for the episode is the Cleveland Guardians money line at minus-127 on BetOnline behind Parker Messick, backed by the Guardians' 7-1 after-a-loss trend and Messick's dominant start to the season. Promo code HIT20 at Pregame.com for 20 percent off through the rest of April. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick and Spencer discuss further about what it would take for the Cavs to lose the Darius Garland trade?

Nick and Spencer are joined by Guardians TV Analyst Al Pawlowski. Then, they talk about Darius Garland's season coming to an end with the Clippers, and they react to a hilarious story about a grandmother from News Channel 5.

Nick and Spencer are joined by Audacy NFL Insider Brian Baldinger. Also, they discuss Ben Solak's write-up on how the Browns can crush the draft, and they debate if Darius Garland could be the next Baker Mayfield.

Nick and Spencer debate if it is too early to call the Darius Garland trade a win after the Clippers were eliminated in the Play-In.

Dan joins Andy and Jeff to talk about the biggest headlines in the sports world.

Nick Wilson and Jonathan Peterlin reflect on the Cleveland Cavaliers' 52-win season and the impactful decision to trade Darius Garland for James Harden. The discussion evaluates the leadership of Kenny Atkinson and Donovan Mitchell while grading the team's ability to navigate significant roster instability. 01:00 - Reflecting On Cavs Season 04:54 - Grading Mitchell And Atkinson 09:35 - Evaluating James Harden Trade

Andy and Jeff talk about the current makeup of the Cavs' lineup, if the eye test is telling them James Harden is working out, and if the team has the right makeup for a deep playoff run.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze trade rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and discuss how such talk impacts young players like Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. They also propose scheduling changes for Major League Baseball to avoid cold weather and criticize the high parking costs for the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. 01:24 - Traffic Report 02:31 - Giannis Trade Rumors 06:08 - Sports Scheduling Debates

Nick Wilson and Jonathan Peterlin debate the Cleveland Cavaliers' playoff path and whether facing the Boston Celtics early matters for the team's ultimate goals. They clash over whether simply reaching the Eastern Conference Finals constitutes success following a major roster shakeup involving Darius Garland and James Harden. 01:00 - Facing Celtics Timing 05:31 - Validating Harden Trade 11:36 - Demanding Cavs Results

Ken and Lima analyze the Cleveland Cavaliers' playoff prospects after clinching a postseason berth. They debate whether local fans are overly pessimistic about a potential matchup with the Atlanta Hawks and discuss the impact of James Harden's playoff experience compared to Darius Garland. The discussion also touches on the historical perception of the Chicago Cubs among Cleveland baseball fans.

We have a jam-packed episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way! Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss the epic turnaround of the Los Angeles Clippers! After a 6-21 start, they've gone a ridiculous 33-15 over their last 48 games. The guys discuss Kawhi Leonard's play, how Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin have slotted into their new home and how dangerous they could be in a playoff setting. From there, the guys react to the latest foundational news in the NBA. Anti-tanking measures are coming, and we may be on the cusp of two new teams joining the league soon. They talk through the latest proposals and debate whether the league needs to add two teams right now. Finally, it's time to talk about the upcoming WNBA expansion draft! We have the rules and the timing (April 3, 3:30 ET) -- now it's time to discuss who may actually be joining new rosters. The guys go team by team, talking through the five players each team may choose to protect. Strategy and shenanigans may be afoot! If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com. 1:30 Los Angeles Clippers check-in 26:28 NBA anti-tanking proposals 44:17 Should the NBA expand? 49:03 WNBA expansion draft expectations Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:

Munaf Manji and Dave Essler talk betting for Friday. The Cash That Ticket podcast returns for a stacked Friday edition covering three MLB games from the opening weekend card, two confirmed Elite Eight matchups with live lines, and a pair of best bets to send listeners into the weekend with a plan. Host Munaf Manji and veteran handicapper Uncle Diamond Dave Esler open the show on a high note, with Dave having cashed his Pregame.com dollar best bet the night before on Texas covering against Purdue, a play he held firm on despite the line moving from 7 to 8.5. The MLB conversation starts with the A's visiting Toronto, where Dave makes the case against Kevin Gausman at a steep price point, citing shaky early-season splits and a structural argument against backing home teams on the run line when they might not bat in the ninth. Both hosts like the under 9 on a cold night with the Rogers Centre roof closed, and Munaf takes the plus-money A's given Luis Severino's strong road profile from last season. The Royals and Braves provide the pitching matchup of the night, with Cole Ragans facing Chris Sale in Atlanta. Dave leans into Royals history against Sale, highlights Salvador Perez's success in career at-bats against the veteran lefty, and notes Sale's pattern of allowing three or more earned runs in his first four outings of a season. Both hosts agree on under 7.5 and find value with Kansas City at plus money. The third game sends the Guardians to Seattle for Game 2 of a series Cleveland opened with a 6-4 victory. Dave challenges the assumption that the Mariners automatically bounce back, pointing to taxed bullpens on both sides, George Kirby's history of being managed carefully on innings, and Gavin Williams' quiet effectiveness against Seattle in limited head-to-head history. The Guardians run line in the first five innings is the preferred play. The show then shifts to Saturday's Elite Eight, with Dave and Munaf covering both confirmed games. Iowa gets the points against Illinois, with both handicappers respecting the familiarity factor between Big Ten programs that already played a close game this season, and cautioning against overreacting to Illinois' dominant win over Houston. Arizona gets the stronger endorsement, with Dave breaking down Purdue's difficult tournament path, its free throw-dependent win over Miami, and a late scare from Texas before facing a Wildcats team that dropped 109 on Arkansas and holds a top-three defense nationally. Best bets close the episode, with Dave backing Michigan team total under 91.5 based on the weakness of the Wolverines' previous tournament opponents, and Munaf laying the points with the LA Clippers against the Indiana Pacers behind Kawhi Leonard's recent form and Darius Garland's fit alongside him in the backcourt. Use promo code MVP15 at Pregame.com for fifteen dollars off any picks package, valid through April 6th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Clips n Dip crew talk the Clippers win over the Raptors, preview the game against the Pacers, plus whatever else comes up

The last in our position-ranking series, point guards are down beyond the elite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As style of play has changed, teams are increasingly relying on bigger players to create offense. Where does that leave small point guards? Many big names — including Stephen Curry, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Darius Garland, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Trae Young and Fred VanVleet — face far more uncertainty than a year ago. But, as always, there are rising young players like Tyrese Maxey and Dylan Harper ready to climb the rankings. Join Dunc'd On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.Or, sign up for our FREE mailing list to get Dan Feldman's Daily Duncs with all the major topics around the league twice a week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Following a recent victory, frustrations with the team's defensive effort spark a debate on whether they can survive a deep playoff run. They analyze the impact of trading Darius Garland for James Harden and question if reaching the Eastern Conference Finals should satisfy fans' expectations.

Danny Cunningham joins Ken Carman and Anthony Lima to discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' defensive inconsistencies and the urgency needed as the postseason approaches. They evaluate the performance of James Harden and Darius Garland, the return timeline for Jared Allen, and why securing the fourth seed is strategically advantageous for a deep playoff run.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima sound off on the Cleveland Cavaliers' recent victory and head coach Kenny Atkinson's blunt assessment of the team's defensive shortcomings. They discuss the long-term impact of trading Darius Garland for James Harden and express growing concern over Jared Allen's extended absence due to injury.

Verno and Jacoby return to discuss the things about the NBA season that have aggravated them, including Lu Dort, Wemby, and the gaudy schedule. They also talk about Trae Young, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Darius Garland all returning from their injuries.Welcome to The Mismatch!(1:05) The dog days of the NBA: Post All-Star slog(6:30) Verno: The conflicted feelings of winning(12:10) Jacoby: Jalen Brunson is enough to win a championship(17:00) Verno: The extinction of the small guard(24:45) Jacoby: Wouldn't hold the door open for Wemby(30:55) Verno: Dirty Dort's cheap-shot collection(36:10) Jacoby: Expects so much more from Cam Johnson(40:35) Verno: Trading Jared McCain to the Thunder(44:50) Jacoby: Diluted NBA; there are too many games!(47:04) Verno: Sparks fly between JJ and Luka on the sideline(58:21) Jacoby: California dreamin'The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff ShearinSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices