Basketball Illuminati

Latest Episodes:

Training Day Nov 16, 2022

Show notes

The Illumination's borders knows no bounds -- and live from an undisclosed location, it's the Basketball Illuminati podcast.

After the Illumination accepts another high-profile citizen, we untangle the numerology of the NBA's unprecedented scoring spree. 59, 51, 47 from 30, what does it all mean?

To help decipher Stephen Curry's scoring rampage, we welcome his long-time trainer Brandon Payne of Accelerate Basketball to the Truth Teller series, who takes us behind the curtain on a hell-ish Trae Young workout this past summer and reveals which players Curry studies to achieve basketball nirvana.

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The D.U.N.C.E. System Nov 09, 2022

Show notes

Kyrie Irving has been assigned a six part checklist before he can return to the Nets, a new initiative we at Basketball Illuminati have labeled The D.U.N.C.E. System: Demonstrate Understanding of Nuanced Complex Endorsements. We summon Truth Teller Ethan Sherwood Strauss to elucidate how the player empowerment era has led us to this point.

Subscribe to Ethan's Substack: https://houseofstrauss.substack.com/

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Due Diligence Nov 02, 2022

Show notes

The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry, and for Basketball Illuminati, six days was too long for the Kyrie Irving debacle to maintain it's grasp on the news cycle.

Breaking news sends shockwaves across the Illumination as Steve Nash is out, Ime Udoka is in, and the Brooklyn Nets have put out a fire with... more fire?

Also, Myles Turner is asked about whether or not he should be traded for and there's more to the Josh Primo situation than the mainstream media is telling you.

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Tanking Incentives Oct 26, 2022

Show notes

Be cautious, Illumination. These early season records are not what they seem. Except for the Lakers, they're going to continue to have issues unless they find a creative way out of the Russell Westbrook Category.

Truth Teller Babak Somekh joins the program to discuss the paper he co-wrote with Paolo Falco and Mauro Caselli titled 'Inside the NBA Bubble: How Black Players Performed Better without Fans'.

Finally, Amin shares his first Inconvenient Truth from the new season, concerning Adam Silver's flirtation with relegation and how to properly incentivize tanking teams.

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Checkbook Wins Oct 19, 2022

Show notes

The Basketball Illuminati generals react to the NBA's Opening Night festivities and Russell Westbrook's recent comments.

On the Agenda, we explore the implications of the Golden State Warriors' recent extensions as it pertains to the futures of their bank account and a particular mercurial linchpin, as well as informing the Illumination why Jordan Poole's contract was reported to be $140 million instead of the more accurate $123 million.

Finally, we are joined by Knicks beat writer and SNY reporter Ian Begley to discuss the latest report of the New York Knicks banning dozens of lawyers and season-ticket holders from attending MSG events, providing insight into the perpetually mediocre and petty New York franchise.

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A History of Violence Oct 12, 2022

Show notes

The Illuminarmy generals have been dispatched to get to the bottom of PunchGate and LeakGate in Golden State.

To the naked third eye, could this actually help the Warriors in the long run? It's time to revisit some of the most notorious intra-squad scuffles in recent NBA history.

Then we are joined by Truth Teller, dad hat ambassador and senior alien correspondent Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports to declassify the secrets of Victor Wembanyama and the code of tanking.

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Twitter: @bballilluminati

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Survey Says! Oct 05, 2022

Show notes

It's time to wake up, Illumination. Preseason action is here, and Return SZN is in full bloom, with Ben Simmons, Kawhi Leonard, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. back on the court.

Next on the docket, an investigation into the latest Lakers drama involving LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as we offer an explanation as to why LeBron's response was so brief.

Finally, Tom Does His Own Research on the annual NBA GM survey that precedes the season. What's really going on with those ballots? We use 11 percent of our brains to reveal what's really behind these offseason content machines.

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Media Daze Sep 28, 2022

Show notes

The Illuminati takes stock of the onslaught of Media Day content and try to ascertain just how much weight has been gained or lost this offseason.

In order to fully understand the Ime Udoka scandal, you need to hear the story within the story from this week's Truth Teller, Ethan Sherwood Strauss of House of Strauss, who unpacks what the Worldwide Leader said in the wake of the news -- and more importantly, what they didn't say.

Subscribe to Ethan's Substack: https://houseofstrauss.substack.com/

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David Bodzin Interview Sep 22, 2022

Show notes

With the news that Robert Sarver is selling the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, the Illuminarmy generals get back in the trenches and deliver a bonus episode for the soldiers out there. We have an exclusive Truth-Teller interview with former Suns employee David Bodzin, one of the whistleblowers in the Sarver scandal, who opens some eyes about his incident with Sarver, how it was handled by his bosses and what he thinks Sarver's decision to sell the team.

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NBA Jahm Sep 21, 2022

Show notes

The Illuminati are eager to see how the Dennis Schröder signing impacts Russell Westbrook and his role in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile in the desert, the palace intrigue of the Phoenix Suns continues to unravel as the Robert Sarver fallout deepens. Who is Jahm Najafi and why are Colin Kaepernick and Larry Fitzgerald involved?

Not satisfied, we consult with Truth Teller Domonique Foxworth of ESPN, who lends his experience as a former NFLPA and NBPA exec negotiating with owners and league executives in the room where it happens.

Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify

Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2

Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com

Twitter: @bballilluminati

Instagram: @basketballilluminati

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