In this week's Point of Contention Ethan Strauss and Marcus Thompson debate! Hosted by Zach Harper. Take 1: Now looking at Round 2, the Nets and Bucks series has been all KD and Kyrie, with James Harden going down early in Game 1 with a hamstring injury. Giannis is getting destroyed and to boot, the NBA put the whammy on the Nets’ countdown clock mocking Giannis’ dragged-out free-throw routine! No Fun! Take 2: To Stotts or not to Stotts? Take 3: George was heckled by fans with chants of “Playoff P and Overrated.” Jade play the tape! Take 4: The Ben Simmons Syndrome Take 5: LeBron went to Instagram to post a video from the movie Gladiator! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Hoops Adjacent, David Aldridge and Marcus Thompson chat with Ethan Strauss about Kevin Durant. Is he the best ever? What is going on with Giannis? Then a lengthy discussion on small markets, tv ratings, big market dependence, winning as a priority and what the NBA and its partners has to do to change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Amick, Fred Katz and Anthony Slater discuss if anyone can beat the Nets, the Suns big game 1 win against the Nuggets, if the Hawks can sustain the hot start against the Sixers, and if the Jazz can take down the Clippers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Basketball Buds, Tray Edwards, Jay King and James Edwards go through Game 1 between the Hawks and 76ers. Trae Young's emergence continues, 76ers rally falls short. Then the Clippers finally figure out the Mavs and Luka Doncic. Also the Harden-less Nets get ready for Game 2 vs the Bucks, can Milwaukee fix their offense? Damian Lillard endorses Jason Kidd, Blazers fans not having it, what to do? James offers a theory, and Tray adds perspective. Also what to do about Dame's defense? Finally WCF predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers give out first round awards to players:  Best Debut Award First Round TopShot Moment Award Role Player of the First Round Award Say What Stat of the First Round Award Who Invited You? Award  U-Turn Award I Can’t Do This Again Award First Round MVP Award Then Jared Weiss of the Athletic joins to discuss the seat changes with the Celtics and we play some first round trivia! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the second round of the playoffs looming, the Nerder crew, Dave, Seth, and Mo take some time to catch up. Seth and Mo discuss their experiences after playoff losses. What is the first task for new Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens? The guys also give their early thoughts on the second round matchups in the East. Happy Playoffs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Point of Contention Ethan Strauss and Marcus Thompson debate. Hosted by Zach Harper. Take 1: Oh boy the drama that is unfolding out west between the Lakers and Suns, that is about to put a serious crimp in LeBron’s Space Jam 2 debut next month. Take 2: Danny Ainge has been at the helm for 18 years with his greatest achievement being the 2008 NBA title with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Since then Ainge accumulated a ton of young talent, draft picks and was notoriously always on the brink of making that big trade. But Ainge could not turn the corner, or even close for that matter. Take 3: The legend of Damian Lillard, yet again, grew on Tuesday night as he orchestrated a game for the ages, scoring 55 points and an NBA playoff-record 12 3-pointers as the Trail Blazers lost to the Nuggets. Lost? Take 4: The NBA issued an 11-point memo which states clearly, among other things, that alcoholic beverages will still be permitted but encourages fans to tell on guests for “inappropriate behavior” to the nearest usher, security guard, or guest services staff member. Take 5: Fellas, it’s been too long without some Awards talk, and even though there is not technically an award for Playoff MVP, we’re doing it anyway. Who you got? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Hoops Adjacent Marques Johnson, basketball analyst for the Milwaukee Bucks on Fox Sports Net, drops by to talk all thinks Bucks. Also reflecting back on his playing days in the NBA with Don Nelson and position-less basketball. Also his acting career, White Men Can't Jump and the success of his son Josiah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht hosts in place of Sam Amick today with Fred Katz, Anthony Slater and special guest Mike Smeltz. They discuss these 8 topics around the NBA Playoffs: 1. Have we learned anything about the Nets in their first round series? (With Mike Smeltz) 2. Who has the brighter future, Hawks or Grizzlies? 3.Will the Chris Paul injury or the Anthony Davis injury matter more in their 1st round series. 4. The Clippers have flipped the momentum on the Mavs, do we trust them to keep it? 5. What’s next for the Heat? 6.Nuggets or Blazers? 7. What more can the NBA do to stop the wild fan behavior? (Popcorn, spit, water bottle) 8. The Bucks currently have the 3rd best odds to win the title (+550) according to BetMGM, behind the Net (+200), and the Lakers (+450)... do we think that’s the right place for them? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Basketball Buds. Zach Harper, Dave DuFour, Tray Edwards and Law Murray. Despite his absence from the show Jay King and the Milwaukee Bucks have the last laugh in a diss track for the ages. Then the Suns take Game 4 in their series against the Lakers. Is there any concern here? Then Knicks vs Hawks, Trae Young too much for NY. Also, 76ers/Wizards, Nuggets/Blazers and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss Kawhi Leonard's place in the Clippers blame game, who will make the East and West Finals and then bring on Will Guillory of the Athletic to discuss the Nets and Bucks and then play a round of NBA Trivia based on the first round of the playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Nerder, Dave, Seth and Mo go through the first round series that matter. Knicks/Hawks, Bucks/Heat, Clippers/Mavs, Lakers/Suns, Blazers/Nuggets and Jazz/Grizzlies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Point of Contention Ethan Strauss and Marcus Thompson debate. Hosted by Zach Harper. Take 1: Lakers in Trouble? Psyche!! Take 2: Meanwhile, while everyone was watching the Lakers Suns, the Clippers dropped another one to Luka and the Mavs. Take 3: Donovan Mitchell is getting upset! Take 4: What time is it? It’s Dame Time! Wait...Let’s go to the Replay Center! Take 5: Do we need another in-season Tournament? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NBA's / TNT's Steve 'Smitty' Smith drops by to talk with David and Marcus, reminiscing about his signature move, paradigm shifts in the NBA and changing the mind of a nation. Runnin' with Magic and Gervin. "Giving back is part of our heritage," said DA. Then talking about the poised Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young's Game 1 performance against the Knicks. Small ball vs Bigs. Lakers in trouble? Clippers gonna wake up? "Luka is not scared of anybody." Donovan Mitchell's time and rhythm. How will the Nets do without a BIG? Jrue Holiday has changed the Bucks. Finally...get your time machine out...what team needs a "Smitty right now? And James Wiseman on the trading block confusion. What did Bob Myers say? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Amick, Fred Katz, and Anthony Slater discuss Suns victory over the Lakers, the NBA crowds, if the Grizzlies are starting something special, problems with the Clippers and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Basketball Buds. Zach Harper, Jay King, Dave DuFour and Tray Edwards try to make sense of what happened in Game 1 of the Lakers vs Suns series...."WWE x NBA Collab?" says Tray. Then, is anyone excited about the Blazers win over the Nuggets in their opener? Also, Jay apologizes to Melo. Then, Luka dismantles Pat Bev then adds insult to injury and calls him "too small." Next up, KD disrespects the Celtics. Took over on both sides of the court. Kyrie takes the 3rd quarter. How can these guys be stopped? Too Big Tobias Harris and Doc Rivers a match made in heaven. Finally Knicks vs Hawks and the Heat hit an early road block on their way to beating the Bucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers preview the Western Conference playoff matchups (Jazz vs Grizzlies, Lakers vs Suns, Clippers vs Mavs, and Blazers vs Nuggets) and play some trivia with Keith Parish of Fastbreak Breakfast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Nerder, Dave, Seth and Mo take a look at the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Wizards vs 76ers. Celtics vs Nets. Heat vs Bucks. And finally Knicks vs Hawks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Point of Contention Marcus Thompson and Jay King debate! Hosted by Zach Harper. Take 1: Celtics get by the Wizards. Now, will the Nets win in 4 or 5 games? Or could this get interesting? Take 2: Oh baby it’s on! The Miami Heat vs the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s Christmas, as far as we're concerned. THIS is the NBA Finals right here. Take 3: For the first time in 9 years we will witness a Knicks playoff game as they take on Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks. Take 4: Kawhi vs Luka Round 2! Take 5: Let’s take a look at the 3-6 matchup in the West. The Denver Nuggets led by imminent MVP Nicola Jokic vs the Dame Time’s Trail Blazers, one of the worst defensive teams in the league.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lakers studio host and Road Trippin's Allie Clifton drops by to talk about the big play-in game between the Lakers and Warriors. Also LeBron and Solomon Hill gossip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Amick, Fred Katz, and Anthony Slater break down the NBA play in tournament, Steph vs. LeBron, and predicting the other play in games. Then in part 2, the guys break down each playoff matchup and they make their predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Basketball Buds. Zach Harper, Tray Edwards, Dave DuFour and Law Murray set the table for the play-in tournament and later this week, the playoffs. Lakers should cruise past Warriors right? Can anyone trust the Celtics? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode we lay out what happened this week in the NBA, discuss Russell Westbrook's legacy and him breaking the triple double record, if the Warriors are a sleeping giant, and then Zach Harper joins to discuss the Miami Heat and we play another episode of Andrew vs. the Beat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part Three of The Athletic’s Origins story for Dell Technologies ‘Small Business Podference’ series. In this episode The Athletic’s co-founders Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann continue on about the company's expansion into the U.K., how the team got through the shutdown of sports and challenges that lay ahead. Writers, Marcus Thompson, Anthony Slater, Zach Harper and David Aldridge give their thoughts as well. For the complete lineup of episodes, visit delltechnologiespodference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Nerder, Dave, Seth and Mo wax on the play-in tournament. The guys all love it but can it make more sense? What can the NBA change? Can any team pull off an upset? Do people believe in the Warriors? The Paper Tiger Suns? Mo is very confident about the Lakers. Dave is worried about the injuries. Also the Wizards, is anyone at all scared of the Wizards? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Point of Contention, Marcus Thompson and Ethan Strauss debate! Hosted by Zach Harper. Take 1: Are we about to witness a play-in game for the ages? Los Angeles is still Golden State’s most likely opponent in a possible 7-8 matchup and that will be just what the TV ratings doctor ordered! Take 2: Does the NBA teams need to put a stronger emphasis on bringing more veterans back into the league? Take 3: Let’s just cut to the chase, when the Nets and 76ers finally play in the ECF who will win? (not answered) Take 4: Finally the end of the regular season is upon us and it gives us one final shot at picking the Awards. Take 5: Wizards guard Bradley Beal and his wife Kamiah put the full-court press on Kent Bazemore after he dismissed Beal’s Sunday night performance in which he dropped 50 points. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part Two of The Athletic’s Origins story for Dell Technologies ‘Small Business Podference’ series. In this episode The Athletic’s co-founders Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann continue on about the company's first steps into the marketplace. The challenges they met selling this idea to investors, and journalists they were trying to recruit, specifically with the expansion into the Bay Area. Writers, Marcus Thompson and Anthony Slater give their thoughts on that process as well. For the complete lineup of episodes, visit delltechnologiespodference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Hoops Adjacent David Aldridge and Marcus Thompson talk to NBA legend Jamal Crawford about the lack of veterans on NBA teams, spreadsheet basketball taking away the essence of basketball and Russell Westbrook being under-appreciated. Also what was the best team Jamal ever played for? Are score-first point-guards taking over the NBA? The abundance of talent in the NBA. Why everyone loves Carmelo Anthony and why Jamal really loves Steph Curry. Runnin' with Michael Jordan. Finally a look around the league, and Jamal's thoughts on the Nets and Kevin Durant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Amick and Anthony Slater are joined by Bill Oram to discuss the state of the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis returning to form, problems with Drummond, Schroder's impact, and more. Then Slater discusses the Warriors and their potential path to the playoffs and Steph Curry's amazing run. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part One of The Athletic’s Origins story for Dell Technologies ‘Small Business Podference’ series. In this episode we hear from The Athletic’s co-founders Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann about how they met, how an idea for better sports coverage materialized into a significant media player in the sports landscape and the spirit at the heart of The Athletic’s culture. For the complete lineup of episodes, visit delltechnologiespodference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Basketball Buds, Zach, Tray, Jay and Dave contemplate a probable play-in between LeBron's Lakers and Steph's Warriors. Then the Celtics are struggling and what is wrong with Marcus Smart. Some hypothetical matchups in the East and the return of South Beach Zach. Finally, is Zion getting unfairly officiated? And has anyone noticed the Thunder are worse than Sam Hinkie's 76ers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week that was in the NBA, a fun rookie stat, what the Cavs will do with Collin Sexton and then NBA birthdays. In part 2 Jon Krawczynski joins the show to discuss the Timberwolves, how Edwards and Towns fit, developing players, and then a Wolves trivia show. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Nerder, Indy Cornrows' and SB Nation's Caitlin Cooper drops by to talk about the turmoil in Indiana with head coach Nate Bjorkgren. Then teams that may be going under the radar including the Bucks, Jazz and Clippers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest Point of Contention, Ethan Strauss and Marcus Thompson debate. Hosted by Zach Harper. Take 1: LeBron James will be out at least the next two games for the Lakers and it could be longer! This according to ESPN. Following a 20-game absence James, the Star of Space Jam 2 out this summer, returned for two games with a high ankle sprain. But! Take 2: Holy Shit the Suns are the best team in basketball?! What day is it? May 5th? That’s right fellas, the Phoenix Suns are now 47-18 riding a 5 game win streak into their game against the Hawks.  Take 3: As predicted many times on this podcast channel, The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to move on from head coach Terry Stotts, after 9 years at the helm...this according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Take 4: Are the Warriors Tanking? Just kidding, but man they must be regretting not picking LaMelo Ball cuz he’s back to ballin! Take 5: More coaching hot-seat news, this just in. According to Sam Amick and Shams Charania Bucks head coach Mike “Why Change a Thing?” Budenholzer is gone “unless there’s a deep playoff run.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's edition of Hoops Adjacent, David Aldridge bids adieu to Wos Lambre as he heads over to The Ringer, and welcomes in Marcus Thompson as his new co-host. The two get to talking about the Warriors title chances in the future and if Brad Beal will be in the Bay next season. Then, this week's guest the great Eddie Johnson drops by to talk about the dangerous Suns as they speed their way into the playoffs. Chris Paul the ultimate leader mentoring Devin Booker's evolving greatness and playoff hopes. Mikal Bridges and the gentle giant Deandre Ayton. Also Eddie reflects back to his days playing for Phoenix and Cotton Fitzsimmons and the money that guys earn today, in a good way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Amick, Anthony Slater, and Fred Katz welcome in Marcus Thompson on the show to discuss NBA awards. Is LaMelo an easy pick for ROY? Who will challenge Jokic for MVP? What about MIP? The guys dive in to COY and 6MOY as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Basketball Buds Dave DuFour, Jay King, James Edwards and Tray Edwards talk about the race for the playoffs in both the West and Eastern Conferences. LeBron is back, but say's he's never be the same player again. That's weird. Also Anthony Davis, still not right. Then, the guys are very confident about the Suns heading into the playoffs. Chris Paul and Devin Booker have made this a professional operation and very dangerous. Plus the Nuggets and the future MVP Nicola Jokic. In the East Philly, Brooklyn, Milwaukee are all in great shape. Don't sleep on the Heat! Can Jayson Tatum carry the Celtics? And finally the 4/5 seed battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht is joined by Fred Katz to discuss who the All NBA Guards should be. Is Luka a guard? Who are the locks? Is Chris Paul a lock? Kyrie or James Harden? Booker or Mitchell? Then they have a brief discussion on Georges Niang of the Utah Jazz.  Andrew and Fred are then joined by Jason Jones of the Athletic to discuss the Sacramento Kings and their wild season. How can the improve from here? Will Buddy and Bagley be part of the team moving forward? and more.  Then Jason sticks around for a trivia show, Fred vs. the Beat, where Fred tries his luck against the Kings beat writer in .... Kings Trivia!  Then we spin the wheel of fandom to see who the next team is going to be. Listen in to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Point of Contention, Marcus Thompson and Ethan Strauss debate! Hosted by Zach Harper. Take 1: In a time when fans are pretty much waiting for the playoffs to start the NBA has delivered! Russell Westbrook has delivered as well breaking the longstanding NBA record in the Wizards' 146-143 loss to the San Antonio Spurs: Wilt Chamberlain's record for triple-doubles in a single month, which has stood since 1968. Wilt had 11, Russ now has 12.  Take 2: Cavaliers forward Kevin Love apologized for his on-court brain-fart Monday night, saying his behavior was out of character. "That wasn't me." he said. Wait. It wasn’t you? Well then who the hell was it?  Take 3: This week, NBA legend Julius Irving aka Dr. J on 'Posted Up' with Chris Haynes did not include LeBron James, arguably one of the Top 3 players to play the game in his Top 2 All Time teams. Take 4: After the game Steve Kerr said "They came out like it was a playoff game. We came out like it was an exhibition." Is now the time to tank? Take 5: Is Julius Randle the Real MVP? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wizards reporter Fred Katz drops by to talk with David and Wos about the red-hot Wizards. What's going on? Even Fred is mystified. The defense has been key. Russell Westbrook has returned to form and much more. Plus, we answer your non-stupid questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Amick, Fred Katz, and Anthony Slater are joined by the Athletic's own Jason Quick to discuss the Blazers and the struggle they've been through this season. Can Terry Stotts survive another season? Will they finally look to trade CJ McCollum? Will Damian Lillard want to stick around? They also discuss the race for the Play In Tournament in the East and West including the hot play of the Warriors and Wizards, the Hornets, Mavs, Heat, Grizzlies and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Basketball Buds, Zach Harper, Jay King, Tray Edwards, Dave DuFour and James Edwards III. First up, Julius Randle 1st Team All-NBA lock? Hard to deny unless your name is Jay King, but the Knicks are rolling. Then, looking back at the Derrick Rose trade. — AD and KD back, LeBron next week. The Curse of the Power Rankings. Play-In Tournament scenarios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week that was in the NBA, the NBA Sophomores and who would make a hypothetical All Sophomore Team, who will make the Play In/Playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Then they bring on Rich Hofmann of the Athletic to discuss the Philadelphia 76ers, Embiid's MVP candidacy, Ben Simmons' offensive stagnation, young 76ers and more. Plus a 76ers trivia game in another edition of Andrew vs. The Beat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave is back from vacation, refreshed and ready. "How nice." said Mo. Seth asks, "Who's the Harden in this equation?" Do we believe in the Suns title chances? Worst first round matchups for contenders. Building around Zion. Is the G League the best development league? Then...NBA Circle of Life: Orlando and OKC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Point of Contention, Marcus Thompson and Ethan Strauss debate! Hosted by Zach Harper. Take 1 - Five years after he revolutionized the game of basketball, the baby faced assassin, Steph Curry is back-back, playing the best basketball of his career. Take 2 - Fellas it is April 21 and the Phoenix Suns are now 41-6 sitting in second in the West beyond the Jazz Take 3 - TV Ratings Coverup? Take 4 - Wait a minute what’s this? Wow!!! I just found $500 bucks right here sitting on my desk. My lord, what a day. Take 5 - LeBron, Giannis, LaMelo, A.D., K.D. Harden, Jamal Murray. What’s going on??? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NBC Sports' Monte Poole drops by to talk about the Warriors, Steph's crazy run going on, Draymond, Klay and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Amick, Fred Katz and Anthony Slater discuss hot take topics from around the NBA 1. Jokic should be the MVP 2. This is the best Steph has been 3. The Play In Tournament is a bad idea 4. Phoenix is a good regular season team, but won’t have another gear in the playoffs 5. Philly should get more consideration as the East favorite because of health and continuity 6. Boston is a dark horse for the ECF 7. Miami was a fluke in the bubble 8. The Knicks should be taken seriously Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Basketball Buds: Dave Harper, Jay King, Tray Edwards and James Edwards. The rundown: Steph’s run has been incredible..."the NBA needs a best player award" said James, and what can they do if they get in the playoffs? Fred Fan Vleet's comments on the league prioritizing money over the game. The Celtics are back? Maybe, but they are playing better...why? Are the Wizards... good? And MaMarcus Aldridge retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices