Podcasts about Western Conference

We open the show asking the big question: are the San Antonio Spurs actually a real NBA title contender this season? With Victor Wembanyama anchoring both ends and a deep supporting cast around him, the Spurs have turned a winning record into serious Western Conference buzz. We break down Wemby's growth, San Antonio's improved defense, their dominant home record and how they stack up against proven contenders. Plus, we discuss whether this rise is sustainable or just a hot stretch before playoff defenses tighten.If you want to support, every little bit helps!We appreciate SuperChats, or you can donate:CashApp: $TheFormatPodcastVenmo: TheFormatPodcast

Jayson Tatum's Return & Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Record FIRES UP Gil's Arena as the Gil's Arena Crew react to Jayson Tatum shining in his return to the Boston Celtics after tearing his achilles and SGA ending the debate for NBA MVP with a game winner over the Denver Nuggets that tied Wilt Chamberlain's record for most 2- point games in a row. They tip things off by reacting to Shai's masterpieve over the Nuggets and discuss where the OKC Thunder superstar will rank amongst all time great guards with another milestone under his belt. They also discuss how the reigning champion Thunder are shaping up this season and break down the ceiling for Nikola Jokic & The Denver Nuggets as the loss dropped them to 6th in the Western Conference. Next, they react to Jayson Tatum returning to the Boston Celtics this weekend after missing the entire season while recovering from a torn achilles and break down the superstar's mind blowing play just months after suffering a major injury. They discuss how the Celtics should handling integrating their franchise player back into the fold and debate if his return makes Boston the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference in the NBA Playoffs. Finally, they react to the San Antonio Spurs rolling as Victor Wembanyama & the Spurs are looking like legitimate threats in the West after ripping off 15 wins in their last 16 games before giving their savage takes on the NBA's decision to cancel the Atlanta Hawks' Magic City Night. PLEASE Give Us A LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!!! Today's Gil's Arena Crew : Josiah Johnson, Nick Young, Kenyon Martin, Brandon Jennings & Rashad McCants Gil's Arena premieres every Wednesday & Thursday at 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET. Sign up for Underdog HERE with promo code GIL and play $5 to get $75 in bonus funds or bonus entries https://play.underdogfantasy.com/p-gi... Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/ARENA10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount Help protect your family with life insurance through Ethos. Get your instant, free quote at https://ETHOS.com/arena SUBSCRIBE:    / @thearena0   Join the Underdog discord for access to exclusive giveaways and promos!   / discord   Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ & MA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369) Show Start 0:00:00 SGA's Historic Night Ends The MVP Race 0:02:28 Can SGA Be An All Time Great Guard 0:33:35 Jokic Battles With Lu Dort 0:43:44 Jayson Tatum Returns To The Celtics 0:51:27 Wemby & The Spurs Are Sizzling 1:26:02 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lakers, mired in a tight battle in the Western Conference, faced off against another one of those teams in the same situation as LA, the Minnesota Timberwolves, on Tuesday night. For the Lakers, the key on Tuesday night was that they brought that same defensive energy used on Sunday to guide them through the first half. But it was turned up even more as Luka Doncic (31 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) and Austin Reaves (31 points) keyed a strong 39-23 third-quarter run that guided them to an easier-than-anticipated victory, 120-106. Tune in as the guys have much to discuss as they talk about what they saw from the game, how the team did without LeBron, Jaxson, and Maxi, and what lies ahead on the schedule for the team next. All this, and of course, they'll discuss the 83-point performance by Bam Adabayo and compare that to Kobe's 81, and how Luka's performance came despite not having the best of days off the court. It's the Lakers and T-Wolves matching up as they continue their fight in the Western Conference standings, and we've got you covered right here on the Lakers Fast Break podcast!Gerald appeared on the Stephan Piscano Podcast! Check out their conversation today at https://youtu.be/iyR-3qR3LVI?si=NxLGOhLtRFGwQq-wFollow @DripShowshop for some awesome sports or pop culture merchandise!The MVP Race is heating up, and Best League has got it covered on his site https://mvprace.top/Joe's new game Coreupt is OUT NOW on Steam. Play it today!Lakers Fast Break now has YouTube memberships! Join today at / @lakersfastbreak and for just $2.99 a month, you get access to LFB badges and emojis, channel page recognition, and more!Check out Stone Hansen on Twitter @report_court, Alfred Ezman @alfredezman, and John Costa's channels: Clutch Talk- / @clutchtalkpod and Lakers Corner- / @lakerscorner and Legend350 on his new channel / @sportslegend2018Special Deals today from our friends at #temu today at https://temu.to/m/u1samwbo8cc use code: aca785401 and you might save some $$$ at TEMU!Take a look at the line of Kinhank Mini PC's and retro game machines today at https://www.kinhank-retrogame.com?rs_ref=e8NA2Rm2 for some gaming and computing fun from Kinhank! Please Like, Share, and Subscribe to our channel and our social media @lakersfastbreak on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, on BLUESKY at @lakersfastbreak.bsky.social, e-mail us lakersfastbreak@yahoo.com or catch our audio of the Lakers Fast Break today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/lakers-fast-break⁠, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast outlet!The views and opinions expressed on the Lakers Fast Break are those of the panelists or guests themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Lakers Fast Break or its owners. Any content or thoughts provided by our panelists or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, anyone, or anything.Presented by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakerholics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakersball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Culture Cosmos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Sports Fantasy Football⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lakers Corner, @DripShowshop, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SynBlades.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, I Got Next Sports Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Happy Hoarder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Retro City Games!

On the latest episode of Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn goes over an important week for the Denver Nuggets against four of the top five teams in the Western Conference. He discusses tonight's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the injury status of Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson, and how the rest of the week will shape Denver's final stretch run. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Lakers headed back to the court on Sunday afternoon as they faced off against the Knicks in a nationally televised matchup. And with no LeBron in the lineup on Sunday, it was the Lakers' defense that held the Knicks to 24% shooting from behind the arc and forced 18 turnovers. That allowed the tandem of Luka Doncic (35 points) and Austin Reaves (25 points) ample opportunity to take advantage in a 110-97 victory over NYC. Tune in as the LFB has you covered with some quick thoughts on the game, why the Lakers are playing better WITHOUT LeBron in the lineup, and what's up ahead for the team next in their climb up the Western Conference ladder. It's LA vs. New York as the Lakers and Knicks square off in the Crypt, and we have you covered as part of another great Lakers Weekend and the Lakers Fast Break podcast!Gerald appeared on the Stephan Piscano Podcast! Check out their conversation today at https://youtu.be/iyR-3qR3LVI?si=NxLGOhLtRFGwQq-wFollow @DripShowshop for some awesome sports or pop culture merchandise!The MVP Race is heating up, and Best League has got it covered on his site https://mvprace.top/Joe's new game Coreupt is OUT NOW on Steam. Play it today!Lakers Fast Break now has YouTube memberships! Join today at / @lakersfastbreak and for just $2.99 a month, you get access to LFB badges and emojis, channel page recognition, and more!Check out Stone Hansen on Twitter @report_court, Alfred Ezman @alfredezman, and John Costa's channels: Clutch Talk- / @clutchtalkpod and Lakers Corner- / @lakerscorner and Legend350 on his new channel / @sportslegend2018Special Deals today from our friends at #temu today at https://temu.to/m/u1samwbo8cc use code: aca785401 and you might save some $$$ at TEMU!Take a look at the line of Kinhank Mini PC's and retro game machines today at https://www.kinhank-retrogame.com?rs_ref=e8NA2Rm2 for some gaming and computing fun from Kinhank! Please Like, Share, and Subscribe to our channel and our social media @lakersfastbreak on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, on BLUESKY at @lakersfastbreak.bsky.social, e-mail us lakersfastbreak@yahoo.com or catch our audio of the Lakers Fast Break today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/lakers-fast-break⁠, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast outlet!The views and opinions expressed on the Lakers Fast Break are those of the panelists or guests themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Lakers Fast Break or its owners. Any content or thoughts provided by our panelists or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, anyone, or anything.Presented by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakerholics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakersball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Culture Cosmos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Sports Fantasy Football⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lakers Corner, @DripShowshop, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SynBlades.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, I Got Next Sports Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Happy Hoarder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Retro City Games!

On this episode of 'Numbers On The Board' - Kenny, Pierre, Mike and Darrick break down the ONE main lesson they've learned so far about each Western Conference Team this season. Plus they break down the return of Jayson Tatum! 0:00 - Intro 04:43 - Drop The Mike 13:35 - JT RETURNS! 26:14 - The Spurs Comeback Win + Wemby's Emotional Reaction 31:20 - One Thing We Learned About Every Western Conference Team 2:00:00 - Unplugged #NumbersOnTheBoard #NBA #Basketball #HoopsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn and Danny Bailey go LIVE at Number Thirty-Eight, reacting to an ugly Denver Nuggets loss to the New York Knicks last night. Aaron Gordon made his return, but Jamal Murray immediately suffered an injury that may hold him out for weeks. Is it simply not Denver's year amid horrible injury luck and a Western Conference that just might be better than them? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have won six of their last seven games and appear to be finding their rhythm at the right time. With Anthony Edwards leading the way, Minnesota looks capable of making another deep playoff push. Are the Timberwolves being overlooked in the Western Conference? And does Anthony Edwards now deserve serious MVP consideration? We break down Minnesota’s surge, Anthony Edwards’ impact, and what this means moving forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A relatively quiet trade deadline was highlighted by the surprising move of longtime Capital John Carlson to Anaheim, where the Ducks leaned further into building an offensive identity. Calgary GM Craig Conroy provided late day drama by sending Nazem Kadri back to Colorado as he chases another Stanley Cup. The Flames also moved Mackenzie Weegar earlier in the week and now sit on a large stockpile of draft picks as they rebuild with a new arena waiting in the wings. Several notable names stayed put, including Robert Thomas in St. Louis and Colton Parayko who declined a trade to Buffalo. Nashville’s Ryan O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos, and goalies Sergei Bobrovsky and Jordan Binnington also stayed with their current teams despite the rumour mill. Toronto sold off pieces like Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, and Nic Roy while keeping Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Montreal held firm despite exploring a bigger hockey deal as their young playoff window opens. Edmonton added Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson earlier in the week, but with Colorado loading up and Dallas and Minnesota looming, whoever survives the Pacific could still face a Western Conference buzzsaw.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a two-game win streak, including a road win over the Warriors, and now face a major test against the Denver Nuggets in Denver. Currently sitting sixth in the Western Conference and only two games behind the third seed, are the Lakers actually moving in the right direction, or is this simply another short stretch that will not change how their season ends? We break down where the Lakers stand, what this run means, and whether there is real reason to believe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Friday afternoon, which means a fresh episode of Oilersnation Radio is ready to massage your eardrums with an hour of off-season Oilers talk. On today's podcast, the fellas discussed the Oilers' moves at the NHL Trade Deadline, previewed Friday's game against Carolina, line combinations, trade targets, and more.We kicked off the Friday episode of ONR with a delicious debate about whether or not the Oilers got enough done at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. Given that Stan Bowman's work all got done in the days leading up to the deadline, it's fair to wonder whether the Oilers added enough to keep up with the rest of the Western Conference. At the same time, one could argue that Bowman addressed some major roster holes despite the deals being relatively minor.Shifting gears, the guys looked at what is going to be a very tough handful of games for the Oilers, as they kick off a run of four against the Hurricanes, Golden Knights, and Stars. If ever there was a run of measuring stick games on the post-deadline schedule, this next week has to be it. While many Oilers fans were hoping for more, it's hard to argue that Bowman didn't pull trigger on a handful of players who could help plug some holes. Finally, we wrapped up the Friday episode of ONR with another round of Ask the Idiots, betting talk for our friends at bet365, and Hot and Cold Performers to look back on the week that was. With the 2025-26 season entering the stretch drive, the guys spent the bulk of the podcast moving through a range of topics, some related to the Oilers and others not, but that's the way things go on the Friday episode of ONR.SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!!

In Hour 1, Dirt & Sprague wonder what the eastern conference will look like in the NBA playoffs, give their props to LeBron James for breaking another league record, and more.

The Lakers continued their march to the last quarter of the season with a matchup in the Mile High City as they faced off against the Denver Nuggets. But after falling behind 11-0 early and losing Deandre Ayton right after with knee soreness, the Lakers found themselves constantly fighting an uphill battle, getting to within three or four points, then letting Denver go on a big run. A final quarter surge got the Lakers to within one, but another last-minute series of miscues on both sides of the ball as the Lakers ended up witha fake comeback in a 120-113 loss to the Nuggets. Check in with the LFB crew shares thoughts on what happened and what lies next for the team as they continue the battle in the Western Conference. It's the Lakers heading into Denver to try and dig up some Nuggets, and we're here to discuss on the Lakers Fast Break podcast! Gerald appeared on the Stephan Piscano Podcast! Check out their conversation today at https://youtu.be/iyR-3qR3LVI?si=NxLGOhLtRFGwQq-w Follow @DripShowshop for some awesome sports or pop culture merchandise! The MVP Race is heating up, and Best League has got it covered on his site https://mvprace.top/ Joe's new game Coreupt is OUT NOW on Steam. Play it today! Lakers Fast Break now has YouTube memberships! Join today at / @lakersfastbreak and for just $2.99 a month, you get access to LFB badges and emojis, channel page recognition, and more! Check out Stone Hansen on Twitter @report_court, Alfred Ezman @alfredezman, and John Costa's channels: Clutch Talk- / @clutchtalkpod and Lakers Corner- / @lakerscorner and Legend350 on his new channel / @sportslegend2018Special Deals today from our friends at #temu today at https://temu.to/m/u1samwbo8cc use code: aca785401 and you might save some $$$ at TEMU! Take a look at the line of Kinhank Mini PC's and retro game machines today at https://www.kinhank-retrogame.com?rs_ref=e8NA2Rm2 for some gaming and computing fun from Kinhank! Please Like, Share, and Subscribe to our channel and our social media @lakersfastbreak on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, on BLUESKY at @lakersfastbreak.bsky.social, e-mail us lakersfastbreak@yahoo.com or catch our audio of the Lakers Fast Break today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/lakers-fast-break⁠, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast outlet! The views and opinions expressed on the Lakers Fast Break are those of the panelists or guests themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Lakers Fast Break or its owners. Any content or thoughts provided by our panelists or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, anyone, or anything. Presented by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakerholics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakersball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Culture Cosmos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Sports Fantasy Football⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lakers Corner, @DripShowshop, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SynBlades.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, I Got Next Sports Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Happy Hoarder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Retro City Games!

https://twitter.com/OilersNation/https://www.youtube.com/@Oilersnationdotcom/https://www.facebook.com/OilersNation/https://www.instagram.com/oilersnationdotcomhttps://www.tiktok.com/@oilersnationThe 2026 NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone, and Tyler Yaremchuk and Liam Horrobin are live with a special post-deadline edition of Oilersnation Everyday to break down everything that happened — and what it all means for the Edmonton Oilers moving forward.The Oilers were already active leading into deadline day, acquiring Connor Murphy before later adding Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach from the Chicago Blackhawks. With those moves already on the board, the big question heading into deadline day was whether Stan Bowman had another move up his sleeve — and now we know the answer.Tyler and Liam break down the Oilers' full trade deadline picture, including how the additions of Murphy, Dickinson, and Dach reshape the roster and what it means for Edmonton's lineup heading into the final stretch of the regular season.They'll also discuss whether the Oilers did enough to improve their chances in the Western Conference playoff race, what needs may still remain, and how aggressive the front office was compared to other contenders around the league.With the deadline chaos now behind us, the focus shifts to the playoff push — and what this new-look Oilers roster could mean once the postseason arrives.If you missed any of the action earlier today, make sure to check out the five-hour Daily Faceoff Trade Deadline Special over on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel, where the crew reacted live to every move from around the NHL as it happened.SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!!

Mike Evans and Brandon Stokley with Mark Schlereth open the fourth hour stressing the vital importance of the next 10 games for the Nuggets to stay afloat in the Western Conference. They chew the fat about game day grub. Stoke reckons with the 9am listeners’ reaction to his take that the Broncos should look at the most recent problem child WR on the market. Stink pitches why he thinks Cade Otton from Tampa Bay should be one of the Broncos’ top free agent targets next week. The Morning Crew caps off today’s show with breaking news that Zach Bye’s favorite team just traded for a new weapon and another option at TE hitting the market.  

Zion Williamson Is FINALLY Proving His Haters Wrong according to Gilbert Arenas as Gil & The Gil's Arena Crew react to Zion Williamson finally putting together a healthy season and discuss how he's responding to people like Stephen A Smith continuing to criticize his game by calling him a food addict. They then react to Victor Wembanyama & The Spurs continuing to surge at the right time as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference blew out the Philadelphia 76ers to cap off their historic February and prove their a force heading into the NBA Playoffs before discussing Joel Embid breaking down before our very eyes as the former NBA MVP continues to miss games, casting doubt on his availiabilty for the NBA Playoffs. Finally, they give their savage takes on the Atlanta Hawks' magic city night and give Kevin Durant his flowers for joining the NBA's 40,000 point club. Today's Gil's Arena Crew : Gilbert Arenas, Josiah Johnson, Nick Young, Brandon Jennings & Rashad McCants Gil's Arena premieres every Wednesday & Thursday at 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET. Sign up for Underdog HERE with promo code GIL and play $5 to get $75 in bonus funds or bonus entries https://play.underdogfantasy.com/p-gi... SUBSCRIBE:    / @thearena0   Join the Underdog discord for access to exclusive giveaways and promos!   / discord   Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ & MA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369) Show Start 0:00:00 Wemby & Spurs BLOW OUT 76ers 0:02:46 Embiid Struggling With Injuries Again 0:37:33 Kevin Durant Hits Another Career Milestone 0:49:04 Zion Clapping Back At His Haters 1:07:42 Austin Reaves' Numbers Are Dropping 1:29:51 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Niko Moreno drops by to break down everything in the Western Conference with MLS- heading from West to East, starting with Seattle and wrapping with Orlando... and everywhere in between...

The crew is back on Big Game Sports Buzz breaking down some of the biggest headlines in sports right now. From NBA drama to NFL offseason speculation, Big Game James and A. Reed bring the analysis from a true player's perspective.First up, the conversation turns to the growing buzz around Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers, and what that type of blockbuster scenario could mean for the NBA landscape. Would a superstar move like that reshape the Western Conference, or is it just another rumor cycle?Then the show shifts to the NFL as the hosts explore possible landing spots for Kyler Murray and how teams around the league could approach the quarterback market. With free agency and roster moves heating up, they discuss which franchises make the most sense and what Murray's future could look like.As always, the show blends player insight, league news, injuries, trades, and behind-the-scenes perspectives that fans don't always hear in mainstream coverage.If you love real sports talk without the filter, you're in the right place.Listen in and join the debate.

Host Grant Mona brings you a high-energy Wednesday edition of The Sporting Tribune Today, capturing the pulse of Los Angeles sports after a night of massive statement wins. From a gritty fourth-quarter surge at Crypto.com Arena to a defensive masterclass at Pauley Pavilion, we've got all the locker room reactions. Segment One: Lakers Slam the Door on New Orleans The Los Angeles Lakers found themselves in a "rock fight" against the Pelicans, trailing by three heading into the fourth. Grant breaks down how a 17–7 run in the final six minutes secured the 110–101 victory. We hear from head coach JJ Redick on the team's "balanced" defensive identity and star Luka Dončić, who led the way with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Plus, hear from the Lakers' supporting cast on how they held New Orleans to just 14 points in the closing stretch to keep their climb up the Western Conference standings alive. Segment Two: Mick Cronin's Bruins Dominate the Top 10 In what Grant calls "the best they've played all year," the UCLA Bruins dismantled No. 9 Nebraska 72–52 in their home finale. We bring you the postgame presser from a rejuvenated Mick Cronin, who praises his team for shifting from their "worst defensive effort" to their "best." Freshmen standouts Trent Perry (20 points) and Eric Freeny share their thoughts on the intensity required to shut down a top-10 opponent and how this win officially cements their status as a dangerous out heading into the Big Ten Tournament. 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.

In this weekly interview episode, Brandon Caputo previews tomorrow's Friday Night Faceoff cross-conference matchup between two high-powered offences in the (8) Saginaw Spirit and (1) Brantford Bulldogs from the TD Civic Centre in Brantford, for their second and final of two head-to-head matchups this season. Brantford trying to secure the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and entire OHL for a season of championship or bust aspirations, while Saginaw is trying to hold fort for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.We will hear from 2027 NHL Draft eligible forward Dima Zhilkin on his brother Danny's impact on his game, having the late birthdate; giving him an extra year of development before he's in his draft year, early experience as a young player coming into the league while being around a championship team, and his leadership qualities already at such a young age. We will also speak with Brantford Bulldogs overage forward Charlie Paquette on his transition over to Brantford after the trade from Guelph where he was the captain and spent four seasons with the Storm, his hobbies on and off the ice, inspirations in the game, growing up in the Windsor/Essex area, his thoughts on Windsor pizza and trying to finish out his junior hockey career on a high note with an OHL Championship. Interview Segments:Intro: 0:00F Dima Zhilkin (Sag): 07:26F Charlie Paquette (BFD): 22:28Outro: 34:34Highlights are courtesy of the Ontario Hockey League, FloHockey, YourTV and Rogers TVPromotion with Buttendz #1 hockey grips to get 10% off your order as part of the network: buttendz.com/discount/ArmchairGM== Follow along with our OHL Content ==https://x.com/ArmchairGMPodhttps://x.com/@OHLin60Podcast== FOLLOW THE NETWORK ==X: https://twitter.com/ArmchairGMPodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCJUaG5QNg1jwQ5a_32rZs1QFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmchairGMsNetworkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/armchairgmsportsWebsite: https://www.armchairgmsports.com/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UCJUaG5QNg1jwQ5a_32rZs1Q== ALSO AVAILABLE TO LISTEN TO ON ==Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/thearmchairgms​Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-armchair-gms-sports-network/id1462505333Spotify: http://bit.ly/ArmchairGM​== FOLLOW THE HOSTS ON TWITTER ==Brandon: https://x.com/BCaputo_AGM

Bomani Jones is joined by San Antonio Spurs Legend Bruce Bowen.  First, they discuss the Spurs' season and whether Victor Wembanyama can lead them to an NBA title.  Later, they break down other Western Conference contenders and discuss the disappointing seasons that Luka Doncic and the Lakers are having.   Finally,  they react to Jayson Tatum potentially coming back for the Boston Celtics and if that is a good idea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Windy Wednesday! Brian Windhorst comes in and starts with an analysis of last night's win over New Orelans, which he calls a “quality win.” The guys ask Windy if the Lakers are heating up at the right time (with a tough schedule ahead) - and if they're closer to the 3 seed or falling into the play-in in a jumbled up Western Conference. Breaking news! The Rams make a big trade for a good, young cornerback and the guys react. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

0:00 - The Avalanche dominated the Ducks last night in Anaheim! Gabe Landeskog scored a goal, Marty Nachos scored a Power Play goal, and Parker Kelly got himself 2! Such a complete effort. This team looks rejuvinated after the Olympic Break.14:58 - Even though Moser isn't on the show today, Vic still owes him an apology for something that happened yesterday.After that, moves are going down in the NFL: trades and tags and free agents OH MY! Where can the Broncos get in on the action? Any players on the market they should target?33:20 - The NBA's Western Conference is RELENTLESS. All the teams around the Nuggets in the standings KEEP ON WINNING. Could OKC, Minny, or San Antonio lose a game for once? That would be great. The Nuggetgs are floundering at the worst possible time. 

Joe is solo for this episode as he begins going over six questions for the Eastern Conference in the NBA (1:07). Then, he pivots to six questions about the Western Conference (15:01). Finally, he gives five teams that could cut down the nets following the Men's NCAA Tournament (28:35), & SO much more!

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones to discuss the crash outs that occurred over the weekend in the NBA world. Did Lu Dort's flagrant on Nikola Jokic warrant an ejection? Are the Thunder entering their villain era? The guys also compare Jaylen Brown's MVP case to Victor Wembanyama's. (0:00) Intro (0:40) Jokic Crashes out on Lu Dort (17:03) Thunder entering their villain era? (30:59) Western Conference hierarchy (34:57) FanDuel Adbreak (36:12) Rate That Crash Out (51:36) MVP case study: Jaylen Brown vs. Victor Wembanyama Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out⁠ rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick Wright recaps a wild weekend of basketball, starting with Luka Doncic and JJ Redick’s sideline spat with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo returning to the Milwaukee Bucks. Then, Nick breaks down the seeding in the Western Conference and how he thinks the standings will shake out. Later, Nick dives into the Lu Dort-Nikola Jokic drama and why it may have a severe impact on the Thunder's chances of repeating. After, Nick reacts to NFL news including a Detroit Lions-Houston Texans trade and his Kansas City Chiefs moving on from a starter. Later, Nick and Damonza answer your questions. #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With another strong showing in Monday's victory at Washington, second-year guard Reed Sheppard is clearly making a push to start and finish more games. Houston (38-22) is now 5-2 since the All-Star break while continuing to hold the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference standings.Featuring Ben DuBose, ClutchFans' Dave Hardisty, and Michael Shapiro of Chron.com, our Rockets-Wizards postgame show reacts to all the key storylines. Topics include injury management for the likes of Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr.; what more starts for Sheppard could look like; and why a relatively quiet buyout market might point to a contract conversion for JD Davison or Isaiah Crawford.This episode can also be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXc48A8PXpI

Mike Gallagher and Drew Dinkmeyer begin to take a look at the Western Conference playoffs, assessing how the matchups could align and which teams have an actual chance at making a run for a championship.

UtahJazz.com's JP Chunga caught up with Ryen Russillo to discuss the Jazz's front office leadership (7:25), organizational alignment (14:30), and Western Conference contenders (24:30).

The Lakers headed back home on the second night of a back-to-back weekend as they faced off at the Crypt against the lowly Sacramento Kings. And after a stress-free win at Golden State, the Lakers continued the beatings with a 128-104 crowning of the Kings. Tune in as the LFB crew shares thoughts on how the weekend went for the team, how Luka's and LeBron's efficiency makes it so much easier for the team (18-31 overall, 7-12 from three), how Luke Kennard (11 points, 5 assists) has been one of the better moves for Rob Pelinka, where they are at in the Western Conference standings heading into the week, and what's up next on the schedule. It's the Lakers and Kings finishing off another great Lakers weekend right here on the Lakers Fast Break podcast!Gerald appeared on the Stephan Piscano Podcast! Check out their conversation today at https://youtu.be/iyR-3qR3LVI?si=NxLGOhLtRFGwQq-wFollow @DripShowshop for some awesome sports or pop culture merchandise!The MVP Race is heating up, and Best League has got it covered on his site https://mvprace.top/Joe's new game Coreupt is OUT NOW on Steam. Play it today!Lakers Fast Break now has YouTube memberships! Join today at / @lakersfastbreak and for just $2.99 a month, you get access to LFB badges and emojis, channel page recognition, and more!Check out Stone Hansen on Twitter @report_court, Alfred Ezman @alfredezman, and John Costa's channels: Clutch Talk- / @clutchtalkpod and Lakers Corner- / @lakerscorner and Legend350 on his new channel / @sportslegend2018Special Deals today from our friends at #temu today at https://temu.to/m/u1samwbo8cc use code: aca785401 and you might save some $$$ at TEMU!Take a look at the line of Kinhank Mini PC's and retro game machines today at https://www.kinhank-retrogame.com?rs_ref=e8NA2Rm2 for some gaming and computing fun from Kinhank! Please Like, Share, and Subscribe to our channel and our social media @lakersfastbreak on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, on BLUESKY at @lakersfastbreak.bsky.social, e-mail us lakersfastbreak@yahoo.com or catch our audio of the Lakers Fast Break today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/lakers-fast-break⁠, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast outlet!The views and opinions expressed on the Lakers Fast Break are those of the panelists or guests themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Lakers Fast Break or its owners. Any content or thoughts provided by our panelists or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, anyone, or anything.Presented by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakerholics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakersball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Culture Cosmos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Sports Fantasy Football⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lakers Corner, @DripShowshop, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SynBlades.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, I Got Next Sports Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Happy Hoarder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Retro City Games!

The pressure is rising in the Western Conference.The LA Kings have fired Jim Hiller — what does this mean for their playoff hopes, and where do they go from here? Can they still find a way into the postseason?Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights are in a concerning slide. They haven't beaten a playoff team since November. Is their grip on the Pacific Division slipping?We also break down:• Whether Florida's recent play signals deeper issues • What Minnesota's Schmidt trade could really mean • How Dallas could use Tyler Seguin's LTIR flexibility • Adjusting back to NHL pace after the Olympic break • The latest trade rumors heading into deadline weekWith the NHL Trade Deadline approaching fast, contenders are starting to feel the heat.Subscribe for daily NHL trade analysis, insider discussion, and deadline coverage.You can get involved with all the NHL futures action over on bet365 by using the promo code NATION at bet365.comConnect with us on ⬇️TwitterInstagramWebsiteDaily Faceoff Merch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steiny & Guru discuss why the Western Conference is bending to the Warriors to keep them in the play-in and wonder if everything for Steph is still the strategy.

Even after losing Saturday's game at Miami, the Rockets (37-22) remain at No. 3 in the Western Conference standings. When factoring in widespread injuries throughout Houston's roster, things could certainly be a lot worse.Yet, even with Kevin Durant in All-NBA form, there are still several questions to answer as the Rockets embark upon the final weeks of the regular season and what they hope is an extended run in the 2026 playoffs. Those questions include:With Steven Adams unavailable and Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle sprain) sidelined for at least a few days, is Alperen Sengun becoming a liability at center?Should Reed Sheppard start in the backcourt?Is Ime Udoka maximizing Houston's offense?Could a potential buyout signing make a difference?Featuring Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and ClutchFans' Dave Hardisty, Saturday's postgame show attempts to answer those questions while also offering key takeaways from that loss to the Heat. Tune in!This episode can also be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvMphBfmsgA

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert start the Friday edition with ESPN radio's Marc Kestecher (1:25) ahead of a busy night of NBA action. They discuss the sustainability of Detroit's regular-season play, Cade Cunningham's case for MVP, James Harden's impact for the Cavs, and how the Nuggets stack up in a loaded Western Conference playoff picture. Ailish and Justin dive deeper into NBA awards and whether the 65-game rule is hurting the conversation. Later, they open the chat for a Friday Free-For-All and discuss the Sabres' playoff chances, American NHLers in Canadian markets, the Leafs' deadline direction after a brutal Florida road trip, landing spots for Steven Stamkos, and projections for the World Baseball Classic, which kicks off next week! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Audacy NBA Insider Nick Friedell joins the show to break down why he is out on the Knicks & Cavaliers this season. Plus, Nick shares his pick to win the Western Conference.

Episode #90 of LAFC+ Podcast, “Statement Start,” finds Dave Denholm and Mario Ruiz breaking down LAFC's dominant start to the 2026 season. Just when it seemed things couldn't get better, the club doubled down on the momentum with a new long-term deal for superstar Denis Bouanga. The guys preview a tough Western Conference road test in Houston and what it will take for LAFC to stay unbeaten. Plus, a look around Major League Soccer at the most intriguing matchups of the weekend.

Join co-hosts Nolan Dowell & Jake Clark along with Gerasimos Gerovasiliou as the crew discusses the race for the 1st seed in the Western Conference between OKC & San Antonio, the 76ers chances to be a top 3 seed in the East, the Bucks odds to make the playoffs, the Bulls winless February, & an update on the "Unc of the Year" power rankings!

On a packed episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin O'Connor is joined by Tom Haberstroh to break down the latest NBA headlines, including James Harden's broken thumb and Lauri Markkanen's injuries. KOC and Tom go back and forth on their Western Conference power rankings. From there, KOC is joined by Jason Gallagher to tackle questions about what's going on with Luka Dončić and why fandom has changed so much. All that and more on this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show. Harden Injury (1:06) Markkanen Injury (4:00) Zion's Shooting Fear (26:30) Western Conference Power Rankings (33:40) Jason Gallagher on Luka Dončić (1:04:20)

Law Murray of The Athletic joins ITL to break down the latest around the NBA, including where the Rockets truly stand in the Western Conference, what's sustainable about their recent play, and how the bigger playoff picture is shaping up. The crew gets perspective on whether Houston is ahead of schedule or still figuring things out. Plus, Figgy's Mixtape delivers a mix of culture and chaos as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announces its 2026 list of nominees, the crew debates the ultimate dilemma — $10 million right now but 10 years cut off your life — and more wild stories to close out the show.

Wes and Mo Dakhil discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' win over the New York Knicks, Eastern and Western Conference playoff contenders, and whether they are buying the Detroit Pistons as a Finals threat. Then they whip around the Western Conference to discuss the Denver Nuggets' path to the Finals, the future of the Clippers and Jazz, and if Anthony Edwards can one day be the best player in the NBA. 00:00 Cavs vs Knicks & Eastern Conference Favorites 13:07 Buying/Selling the Pistons 37:21 Nuggets' best path to the Finals 44:26 Jazz's future 50:24 Clippers and Kawhi 55:20 Can Anthony Edwards be the best player in the NBA? RealGM Radio is powered in part by North Station Media (CLNS). For advertising or media inquiries, contact info@clnsmedia.com

Kurt Helin discusses Jalen Green's inconsistent play throughout his career, which storylines have surprised him this NBA season and this season's Western Conference contenders.

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way! Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss bounce around the Western Conference for a how-good-should-we-feel check-in. The Thunder and Spurs (winners of nine straight!) have separated themselves from the pack; how poised are the Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers, or Timberwolves to make a run? Do they have a fatal flaw in their profile? From there, the guys recap the recent happenings in Unrivaled -- from Angel Reese's return, the Phantom and Laces' battle for the top seed, and potential dark-horses in this year's postseason. Finally, Nekias talks through his top candidates for MVP with Steve, with official ballots due this week. If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com. 1:50 How to decipher post-All-Star break play 10:42 Houston Rockets 24:55 Denver Nuggets 37:16 Los Angeles Lakers 54:26 Minnesota Timberwolves 01:02:53 Salute to the Spurs 01:09:45 Unrivaled thoughts Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way! Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss bounce around the Western Conference for a how-good-should-we-feel check-in. The Thunder and Spurs (winners of nine straight!) have separated themselves from the pack; how poised are the Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers, or Timberwolves to make a run? Do they have a fatal flaw in their profile? From there, the guys recap the recent happenings in Unrivaled -- from Angel Reese's return, the Phantom and Laces' battle for the top seed, and potential dark-horses in this year's postseason. Finally, Nekias talks through his top candidates for MVP with Steve, with official ballots due this week. If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com. 1:50 How to decipher post-All-Star break play 10:42 Houston Rockets 24:55 Denver Nuggets 37:16 Los Angeles Lakers 54:26 Minnesota Timberwolves 01:02:53 Salute to the Spurs 01:09:45 Unrivaled thoughts

The NBA playoff push is here, and the spotlight is on the players who can change everything.In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the stretch-run impact of Jalen Green (Phoenix Suns), Tyler Herro (Miami Heat), Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets), and Benedict Mathurin (LA Clippers).- Which of these rising stars has the power to elevate their team's playoff positioning? - Who must step up offensively, defensively, and as a leader to secure postseason moment?We also examine the Philadelphia 76ers' medical situation and how health could ultimately determine their playoff fate. From scoring efficiency and late-game execution to roster fit and conference standings implications, we analyze the X-factors that will define the final stretch of the NBA season. If you're looking for NBA analysis, playoff predictions, player development insight, and Eastern and Western Conference breakdowns — this is your complete stretch-run preview.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-baseline-nba-podcast--3677698/support.Visit: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS and use code CLNS and get $50 in lineups.This show was sponsored in part by Raycon: Visit https://buyraycon.com/baseline for 20% off new buds!Get NBA League Pass: https://link.nba.com/LP19MG Looking to book a vacation? Our travel partner Exquiste Travel & Tours has you covered: Call 954-228-5479 or visit https://exquisitetravelandtours.com/Discover our favorite podcast gear & shop our studio must-haves on our Amazon Affiliate page! https://www.amazon.com/shop/19mediagroupWant to join the conversation or invite us to your platform? Budget-friendly collaborations welcome! https://bit.ly/19GuestFollow The Baseline on X: https://twitter.com/nbabaselineFollow The Baseline on IG: https://instagram.com/nba_baseline

FULL EPISODE | FN Barn Burner: Boomer, Pinder & WarrenerTIMESTAMPS ⏰1:00 Intro Banter9:00 Stanley Cup Odds 13:30 Eastern Conference24:00 Kulak Trade 28:00 Western Conference 52:00 Pinder Report01:26:00 Who Will Flames Trade??01:30:00 bet365Subscribe to BarnBurner on Youtube

With the Olympic break over, Boomer, Pinder, and Rhett take a deep dive into the Western Conference as the NHL regular season enters the home stretch. The guys break down the standings, debate which team is best positioned to come out of the West, and discuss whether any contenders could flip a switch and make a surprise run. They also take a closer look at the powerhouse Central Division featuring the Wild, Avalanche, and Stars, and what it will take for teams to separate themselves before the playoffs.Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/uIjf65rcSC0#nhl #nhlshorts #nhlplayoffs #nhlpredictions #nhlhockey #nhlpicks #stanleycup #stanleycupfinal #edmontonoilers #dallasstars #vegasgoldenknights CHECK OUT OUR STUFF ⬇️BARN BURNER MERCHhttps://nationgear.ca/collections/shirts/FlamesnationBARN BURNER SHORTS https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj_bcGtvvo-cW2DHEDZ6dEO5ePDmlhZc9&si=jo8iNGxT4ImhS2Y8

A very full 15 in 60 of well over 2 hours looks at the 15 teams in the Western Conference: HOU: Breaking down their late-game offense in a rough blown lead against New York DEN & GSW:  The Warriors pull off a troubling upset over the Nuggets 10:20 OKC: Has Cason Wallace shown more on-ball juice with their injuries? 28:17 PHX: Why is their defense so much better? 35:21 POR: Shaedon Sharpe's development in his 4th year 45:29 UTA & MEM: The Jazz out-tank the Grizz while avoiding a fine. 53:05 MIN: How are and should they be using Ayo Dosunmu? 1:03:32 NOP: Is Trey Murphy III a threat as a shot-creator? 1:08:25 LAC: The early returns on Bennedict Mathurin and the chances of the Clippers re-signing him this offseason 1:19:26 LAL: Luka Doncic's odd quarter splits 1:27:50 SAS: What do we think of their new starting lineup? 1:39:09 SAC: Nique Clifford's numbers haven't been good. Is there a silver lining? 1:46:57 DAL: How can Naji Marshall's unique skills fit in on a better team? 1:55:00 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.

Bomani Jones is joined by ESPN's Vinnie Goodwill to break down all the second-half storylines for the NBA. First, they discuss the ALL-Star game's issues, which are fixable and which are not. Later, they break down the Western Conference race, whether the Rockets have issues beyond the Kevin Durant Files, the emerging Spurs-Thunder rivalry, and whether Anthony Edwards or Nikola Jokic can drag their teams to the NBA Finals. Finally, they discuss the potential insanity of Jayson Tatum returning to the Boston Celtics less than one year after his Achilles injury and whether it's Finals or bust for the New York Knicks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Take is live with an ENRAGED Stephen A. Smith. Do the Knicks have any shot of coming out of the East after another blowout loss at the hands of Cade and the Pistons? (0:00) Then, Perk, Monica and Stephen A. react to Mat Ishbia's tanking comments. (26:00) Next, which Western Conference team should worry OKC the most? (40:50) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBC's Jay Croucher joins the show to break down his second half Eastern and Western Conference predictions, favorite award bets, and much more!