Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

New Orleans Pelicans 2025-26 NBA Season Lookahead Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

Dan is joined by Shamit Dua (@fearthebrown) from the 'In The N.O.' Substack and podcast for a deep dive into the 2025-26 New Orleans Pelicans. SUBSCRIBE TO IN THE N.O ON YOUTUBE AND SUBSTACK. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
0:57 - The Pelicans’ direction
8:05 - Expectations for Derik Queen
16:50 - Expectations for Jeremiah Fears
23:43 - Continued development of Trey Murphy
28:08 - Future of Zion Williamson
36:11 - Continued development of Yves Missi
40:58 - Impact of Jordan Poole
42:32 - Dejounte Murray timeline
45:20 - Secondary wing rotation
48:18 - Will the Pelicans make more trades?
49:55 - Jordan Hawkins and Karlo Matkovic
52:12 - Defensive ceiling
54:11 - Biggest needs, under-the-radar storylines
57:19 - Top-10 rotation
58:43 - Go-to crunch-time unit
59:15 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:00:12 - PREDICTIONS
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
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Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
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Portland Trail Blazers 2025-26 NBA Season Lookahead Sep 16, 2025

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Dan is joined by Tara Bowen-Biggs (@tccbiggs) and Rose Harding (@roselharding) from the We Have A Takee podcast for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Portland Trail Blazers. SUBSCRIBE TO WE HAVE A TAKE HERE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
3:10 - Takeaways from last season
4:45 - The return of Damian Lillard
9:46 - Offseason impressions / Jrue Holiday fit
15:47 - Yang Hansen’s fit and role
25:30 - Donovan Clingan expectations
30:27 - Continued development of Scoot Henderson
35:50 - Continued development of Shaedon Sharpe
40:13 - Deni Avdija's impact
43:18 - Chauncey Billups’ toughest rotation decision
43:50 - Importance of Toumani Camara
51:10 - Kris Murray, Duop Reath, Rayan Rupert
53:17 - Offensive improvement
57:19 - Biggest needs
1:00:05 - What’s flying under the radar?
1:03:05 - Top-10 rotation
1:06:02 - Go-to crunch-time unit
1:08:27 - Best offensive lineup
1:10:29 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:12:19 - PREDICTIONS!
1:14:24 - W.H.A.T. SUPERLATIVES
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
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Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
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Dallas Mavericks 2025-26 NBA Season Lookahead Sep 13, 2025

Show notes

Dan is joined by Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace) from Pod Maverick and Mavs Moneyball for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Dallas Mavericks. SUBSCRIBE TO POD MAVERICK HERE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
0:56 - The Mavs’ direction
7:02 - Cooper Flagg development
12:56 - Kyrie Irving timeline
15:10 - Offseason impressions
17:58 - The big-man rotation
19:51 - Future of Dereck Lively II
23:36 - Dallas’ transition offense
26:17 - Mavs’ defensive ceiling
27:53 - Expectations for Max Christie
31:15 - Brandon Williams’ fit
34:03 - Early impressions of Ryan Nembhard
35:02 - Future of Jaden Hardy
36:13 - Biggest needs, under-the-radar storylines
40:33 - Top-10 rotation
42:14 - Best offensive lineup
43:22 - Go-to crunch-time lineup
43:56 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
45:30 - PREDICTIONS
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
JOIN OUR DISCORD
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
Instagram: @hardwood_knocks
Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Atlanta Hawks 2025-26 NBA Season Lookahead Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Dan is joined by Lauren Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) from the AJC for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Atlanta Hawks. CHECK OUT LAUREN' WORK HERE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
1:14 - Biggest takeaway from last season
3:16 - Continued development of Jalen Johnson
5:54 - The offseason and front office
14:05 - Future of Trae Young
21:26 - Kristaps Porzingis-Onyeka Okongwu fit
26:43 - Secondary ball-handling
30:40 - The rise of Dyson Daniels
38:16 - Zaccharie Risacher development
45:41 - Hawks’ offensive pace
48:03 - Atlanta’s defensive ceiling + Impact of Mo Gueye
51:21 - Early impressions of Asa Newell
54:39 - Vit Krejci + other youngsters
57:38 - Biggest needs/weaknesses, under-the-radar storylines
59:41 - Top-10 rotation
1:01:11 - Go-to closing unit
1:01:55 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:04:45 - PREDICTIONS!
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
JOIN OUR DISCORD
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
Instagram: @hardwood_knocks
Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

The NBA Is A Soap Opera... Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

Dan and Grant are joined by Mort Jensen (@msjnba) of The NBA Podcast to break down the latest news and rumors around the NBA, including the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard cap circumvention scandal, Cam Thomas signing his qualifying offer, Josh Giddey getting $100M from the Bulls and more. TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
2:02 - The Clippers' Kawhi Leonard/salary-cap scandal
53:09 - Cam Thomas signs his qualifying offer
1:09:09 - Josh Giddey gets PAID
1:30:10 - Jonathan Kuminga and Quentin Grimes
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
JOIN OUR DISCORD
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
Instagram: @hardwood_knocks
Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Oklahoma City Thunder 2025-26 NBA Season Lookahead Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Dan is joined by Tayler Peterson (@Tayler_P15) and JD Silva (@jdsilva_) from The Uncontested Podcast (@The_Uncontested) for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Oklahoma City Thunder. SUBSCRIBE TO THE UNCONTESTED ON PATREON. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
2:51 - The Thunder’s title run
6:21 - Biggest takeaways from last season
9:36 - Why the Thunder are built to last
12:22 - The Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams extensions
17:45 - Continued development of Chet Holmgren
23:36 - Future of Jalen Williams
31:20 - Impact of Isaiah Hartenstein
35:45 - Continued development of Cason Wallace
39:35 - What is the ceiling of Ajay Mitchell?
43:43 - Are Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins expendable?
49:09 - Developing young talent while still contending
50:27 - Nikola Topic expectations
53:57 - Early impressions Thomas Sorber
58:02 - Early impressions of Brooks Barnhizer
1:00:45 - Room for offensive improvement?
1:01:42 -Future of Ousmane Dieng
1:05:13 - Biggest needs, Under-the-radar storylines
1:08:20 - Top-10 rotation
1:10:30 - Go-to crunch-time unit
1:12:46 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:15:45 - FREE-THROW MERCHANTS
1:19:22 - PREDICTIONS
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
JOIN OUR DISCORD
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
Instagram: @hardwood_knocks
Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Detroit Pistons 2025-26 NBA Season Lookahead Sep 06, 2025

Show notes

Dan is joined by Laz Jackson (@lazchance) from Detroit Bad Boys for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Detroit Pistons. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
1:06 - Last season’s most important development
4:53 - Impact of JB Bickerstaff
6:36 - The Offseason
16:40 - Continued development of Jaden Ivey
24:06 - Future of Jalen Duren
29:33 - Ausar Thompson’s next steps
36:01 - Continued development of Ron Holland
42:56 - The next frontier for Cade Cunningham
49:02 - Will Isaiah Stewart take more threes?
51:44 - Impact of Tobias Harris
56:34 - Marcus Sasser
58:06 - Bobi Klintman
59:29 - Tolu Smith
1:00:18 - Daniss Jenkins
1:01:33 - Chaz Lanier
1:04:04 - Biggest weakness, under-the-radar storylines, trade targets
1:10:35 - Top-10 rotation
1:12:30 - Go-to closing lineup
1:12:53 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:16:11 - PREDICTIONS!
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
JOIN OUR DISCORD
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
Instagram: @hardwood_knocks
Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Los Angeles Clippers 2025-26 NBA Season Lookahead Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Dan is joined by Clippers reporter Justin Russo (@flybyknite) for a deep dive into—you guessed it!—the 2025-26 Los Angeles Clippers. Please note we recorded BEFORE the Kawhi Leonard salary-cap circumvention allegations. SUBSCRIBE TO JUSTIN'S 'RUSSO WRITES' SUBSTACK HERE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
2:18 - Takeaways from last season
3:43 - Planning for the future
10:27 - Did the offseason hurt their defensive identity?
15:31 - Evolution of Ivica Zubac
20:29 - The fit of Bradley Beal
28:14 - Optimizing Kawhi Leonard
36:17 - Chris Paul's role
38:50 James Harden adjustments
43:39 - The frontline rotation
45:13 - Impact of Bogdan Bogdanovic injury
48:16 - Will the Clippers play enough in transition? / Overall play style
54:51 - Potential pain points
56:42 - Roles for Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr.
1:02:49 - Early impressions of Yanic Konan Niederhauser
1:07:46 - Kobe Brown, Cam Christie, cutting payroll
1:12:51 - Biggest weakness, strengths, under-the-radar storylines
1:22:59 - Top-10 rotation
1:25:24 - Go-to crunch-time unit
1:27:12 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:29:56 - PREDICTIONS!
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
JOIN OUR DISCORD
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
Instagram: @hardwood_knocks
Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Charlotte Hornets 2025-26 NBA Season Lookahead Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Dan is joined by CBS Sports podcast producer extraordinaire Konata Edwards (@NataTheScribe) for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Charlotte Hornets. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
2:45 - Impact of Charles Lee
4:15 - The offseason
9:05 - Big man rotation
11:57 - Future of LaMelo Ball
18:13 - Continued development of Brandon Miller
20:40 - Early impressions of Kon Knueppel
23:01 - Early impressions of Liam McNeeley
24:09 - Juggling a crowded a perimeter rotation
26:03 - Future of Tidjane Salaun
30:27 - Early impressions of Ryan Kalkbrenner
32:05 - Can Charlotte rebound and defend?
34:23 - Biggest needs, strengths, under-the-radar storylines
35:37 - Sion James / roster spots
38:17 - Hornets’ approach to trade market
40:57 - Top-10 rotation
45:05 - Go-to crunch time lineup
46:46 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
48:15 - Coverage of the Hornets
50:34 - PREDICTIONS
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
JOIN OUR DISCORD
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
Instagram: @hardwood_knocks
Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Washington Wizards 2025-26 NBA Season Lookahead Aug 30, 2025

Show notes

Dan is joined by Matt Modderno (@MattModderno) of the Bleav In Wizards podcast for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Washington Wizards. SUBSCRIBE TO BLEAV IN WIZARDS HERE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
1:32 - State of the rebuild
3:43 - Fast-track coming?
7:24 - What do we make of Brian Keefe?
9:43 - Continued development of Alex Sarr?
16:52 - Ceiling of Bilal Coulibaly
21:08 - Early impressions of Tre Johnson
24:13 - Cam Whitmore’s fit
29:19 - Next steps for Kyshawn George
32:37 - Bub Carrington outlook
37:57 - How much will Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum play?
43:32 - AJ Johnson
44:55 - Will Riley
46:30 - Dillon Jones
47:25 - Tristan Vukcevic
49:08 - Malaki Branham
51:28 - Biggest needs, strengths, under-the-radar storylines
56:24 - Top-10 rotation
59:20 - Go-to closing lineup
1:00:09 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:01:45 - Jamir Watkins outlook
1:04:33 - PREDICTIONS!
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
JOIN OUR DISCORD
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
Instagram: @hardwood_knocks
Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

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