Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Beyond the Trade Rumors: What's Next for the Indiana Pacers? Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

The Indiana Pacers have been making maaaany headlines over the past two weeks, so Hardwood Knocks did the only thing it could: turn to the one, the only, the legendary Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) from Indy Cornrows to break it all down. She discusses the fallout from the report that Indiana is open to tearing it down, Myles Turner's request for a bigger role or better "role clarity," Domantas Sabonis' usage and the national media's impression of him, Caris LeVert's up-and-down season, the Pacers' crunch-time struggles, Chris Duarte's ascension, the two-man synergy between Domas and Duarte, Indy's long-term outlook and so much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:26 - Intro 🔘 3:53 - "The Report" / Would Indiana *actually* consider a nuclear rebuild? 🔘 8:38 - Myles Turner's usage and quest for "role clarity" 🔘 15:26 - Domantas Sabonis' usage/role 🔘 25:10 - Caris LeVert's fit/best role 🔘 30:21 - T.J. McConnell's absence/lineup tweaks 🔘 33:07 - The Chris Duarte Experience, and his synergy with Domas 🔘 36:13 - OSHAE BRISSETT FOREVER 🔘 38:33 - Impressions of Rick Carlisle as head coach 🔘 42:38 - Indiana's crunch-time struggles 🔘 47:11 - Are the Pacers *much* better than they've shown, or do they need a shakeup? 🔘 49:46 - Will Indy buy, sell or hold? Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Future of the Portland Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard Dec 13, 2021

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Dan is joined by the ever awesome Tara Bowen-Biggs (@tcbbiggs) from the We Have A Take podcast to discuss everything in the world of the Portland Trail Blazers. Together, they cover the front office transition from Neil Olshey to Joe Cronin, Damian Lillard's future, CJ McCollum's health and play, Jusuf Nurkic's struggles, Nassir Little's breakout, defensive problems, lineup changes, Ben Simmons, potential trade targets and sooooo much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:10 - Intro 🔘 4:55 - First Impressions of interim GM Joe Cronin 🔘 10:18 - Neil Olshey's exit 🔘 16:35 - Direction of the franchise 🔘 21:42 - Would the Blazers consider a rebuild *around* Damian Lillard? 🔘 32:53 - Concerns about Dame and CJ McCollum 🔘 41:45 - The play of Jusuf Nurkic and Robert Covington 🔘 46:15 - Portland's defensive struggles 🔘 49:16 - Potential lineup changes 🔘 53:35 - Nassir Little's breakout 🔘 58:19 - Greg Brown, Anfernee Simons, Dennis Smith Jr. 🔘 1:02:14 - How should Blazers approach the trade deadline? 🔘 1:04:17 - Potential trade targets Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2022 NBA Trade Deadline Targets for Every Eastern Conference Team Dec 10, 2021

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With the unofficial starts of NBA trade season just around the corner, Adam and Dan are coming up with a handful of potential targets for every team. First up: All 15 Eastern Conference squads. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:28 - Intro/Target Criteria 🔘 10:52 - Atlanta Hawks 🔘 16:44 - Boston Celtics 🔘 22:59 - Brooklyn Nets 🔘 28:40 - Charlotte Hornets 🔘 35:51 - Chicago Bulls 🔘 38:57 - Cleveland Cavaliers 🔘 45:22 - Detroit Pistons 🔘 48:46 - Indiana Pacers 🔘 56:37 - Miami Heat 🔘 59:03 - Milwaukee Bucks 🔘 1:04:16 - New York Knicks 🔘 1:09:37 - Orlando Magic 🔘 1:13:22 - Philadelphia 76ers 🔘 1:17:40 - Toronto Raptors 🔘 1:21:38 - Washington Wizards Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where Do the Denver Nuggets Go From Here? Dec 07, 2021

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Dan is joined by T.J. McBridge (@TJMcBrideNBA) from Mile High Sports to break down the short- and long-term outlook of the Denver Nuggets. They discuss Michael Porter Jr.'s potential season-ending injury, the Nuggets' shorthanded rotation, Nikola Jokic's MVP case, possible trade targets, Denver's defense, the team's future beyond this season and much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:32 - Intro 🔘 3:14 - State of the Nuggets 🔘 6:42 - Jamal Murray/Michael Porter Jr. 🔘 9:56 - Importance of Bones Hyland 🔘 14:49 - How much will Bones play? 🔘 17:02 - JaMychal Green 🔘 18:41 - Bol Bol or nah? 🔘 20:57 - Will the Nuggets make a trade? Buyout/Free-Agency options & a trade idea 🔘 27:01 - Long-term concerns in Denver? 🔘 34:01 - The Nuggets' place in the West 🔘 35:10 - Nikola Jokic's MVP case/defense 🔘 41:15 - DPOY Odds on Aaron Gordon Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAILBAG: Kemba, John Wall Trades, Underrated Players, Draymond Green, NBA Trades Nov 30, 2021

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MAIL TIME. Our latest trip down You Asked, We Answered Lane covers potential John Wall trades, the Denver Nuggets' future following the Michael Porter Jr. injury, the New York Knicks' decision to bench Kemba Walker, Monte Morris' efficiency, Draymond Green's defensive value, Alperen Sengun's rookie year, early-season trends we're buying, a list of the most underrated players, a Mario Hezonja update and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 1:51 - Intro 🔘 4:19 - Reaction to Knicks benching Kemba Walker 🔘 15:40 - Joe Harris Injury 🔘 19:12 - The John Wall situation: Can he be traded? 🔘 29:17 - Trade targets for the Nuggets following Michael Porter Jr. injury 🔘 34:42 - Trends to buy 20 games into the season 🔘 37:40 - Draymond Green's defense 🔘 43:16 - Best Blazers lineup(s) 🔘 46:53 - NBA team records on second end of back-to-backs vs. opponents on two days rest 🔘 48:24 - How good is Alperen Sengun? 🔘 51:09 - Monte Morris' mid-range efficiency 🔘 53:02 - Zach LaVine's shooting 🔘 54:12 - Who's the most underrated player in the NBA? 🔘 1:00:30 - Where on Earth is Mario Hezonja?!? Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pressing Questions: Kings, Dubs, Nuggets, Cavs, Clippers, NBA Playoff Predictions, Devin Booker/Suns Nov 24, 2021

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Dan is joined by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to tackle the biggest questions they each have as the NBA nears the quarter-mark of the 2021-22 season. Their maze of inquiries covers playoff predictions for the Eastern Conference, the Sacramento Kings' future following Luke Walton's exit, the Toronto Raptors' direction, the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets, the Orlando Magic's starting five, the Phoenix Suns and Devin Booker and much, MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:16 - Intro 3:32 - The future of the Sacramento Kings 27:57 - Who's the fourth-best team in the West? 35:37 - The Lakers 38:51 - Predicting top-six seeds in the East 45:46 - The Cavs Favorite Players to Watch This Season⬇️ 48:02 - Devin Booker 50:18 - Evan Mobley 51:46 - Herb Jones 52:55 - Zach LaVine 54:06 - Ja Morant 54:32 - The Magic's Starting Five 57:04 - What are the Raptors? (Alternatively: WHY are the Raptors?) 1:05:28 - Utah's championship stock 1:10:40 - Do the Warriors need another shot creator? Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAILBAG: Guilty Pleasure Teams, Luke Walton/Kings, DeMar DeRozan, New Foul Rules, Jonas Valanciunas Nov 16, 2021

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In the second part of a super-duper-mega mailbag, Adam and Dan discuss Jonas Valanciunas' impact on the New Orleans Pelicans; the news about the Sacramento Kings being displeased with Luke Walton; their favorite guilty-pleasure league pass watches; DeMar DeRozan's MVP case; how the new foul rules could impact team-building in the future; the way analytics are presented to fans; and much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:28 - Intro 🔘 3:27 - Luke Walton/Kings 🔘 13:29 - Jonas Valanciunas' impact in New Orleans 🔘 Worst rotation players this season (23:41) 🔘 28:13 - Most surprisingly watchable teams this season 🔘 35:37 - Where is DeMar DeRozan on the early-season MVP ballot? 🔘 40:29 - Steph vs. Magic: Playmaking impact 🔘 44:36 - Which players are underrated because we focus too much on what they CAN'T do? 🔘 52:57 - Are stat/analytic models adequately explained to fans? 🔘 1:01:35 - Will the new foul rules impact heliocentrism or how teams build out rosters? Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAILBAG: Hawks Woes, KAT's Future, Hornets Trade Targets, Spurs, Clippers, Nuggets Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

MAIL TIME! In Part One of our TWO-PART SUPER-DUPER-MEGA MAILBAG, your questions have us covering Karl-Anthony Towns' future with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Atlanta Hawks' recent struggles, trade targets for the Charlotte Hornets' center rotation, impressions of the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers' offense, Ben Simmons news, Will Barton's leap, the Denver Nuggets' title stock and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:16 - Intro 🔘 1:46 - What's wrong with the Hawks? 🔘 13:56 - Center targets for the Hornets 🔘 21:55 - Best/Worst "Mixtape" jerseys 🔘 32:58 - Most underrated player(s) on the Spurs 🔘 37:29 - What is San Antonio's ideal starting five? 🔘 39:51 - Are the Wolves using Karl-Anthony Towns properly? 🔘 46:30 - The Clippers offense 🔘 50:54 - Do the Nuggets need to make a trade? 🔘 54:27 - Does Will Barton have a Most Improved Player case? 🔘 57:16 - Nikola Jokic's MVP stock 🔘 58:13 - Ben Simmons Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2021-22 NBA Awards Ladder: Who Leads the MVP Field? Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

Adam and Dan build their NBA awards ladders now that every team has played around 10 games for the season. Please note these are not meant to be predictions, but more of a snapshot of where the awards races stands if the 2021-22 campaign ended today. We have top five candidates for the MVP race, plus a top-three ladder for Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Executive of the Year and Coach of the Year. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘1:51 - Intro/Rankings Criteria 🔘6:03 - Executive of the Year 🔘14:44 - Coach of the Year 🔘26:52 - Most Improved Player 🔘38:40 - Sixth Man of the Year 🔘50:45 - Rookie of the Year 🔘59:57 - Defensive Player of the Year 🔘1:11:38 - MVP Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Robert Sarver Allegations, 1 Interesting Stat for Every NBA Team Nov 05, 2021

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Hardwood Knocks reacts to the explosive report from ESPN that alleges Phoenix Suns managing partner Robert Sarver has created a racist and misogynistic work environment over the course of his 17-year tenure. After that, Dan relays one stat—but really more—for every NBA team he finds interesting or will be watching for the rest of the season. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:15 - Intro 2:52 - Robert Sarver allegations 14:03 - Atlanta Hawks 15:15 - Boston Celtics 16:58 - Brooklyn Nets 19:10 - Charlotte Hornets 22:19 - Chicago Bulls 24:30 - Cleveland Cavaliers 26:30 - Dallas Mavericks 28:05 - Denver Nuggets 29:46 - Detroit Pistons 31:55 - Golden State Warriors 33:48 - Houston Rockets 35:22 - Indiana Pacers 37:07 - LA Clippers 39:12 - Los Angeles Lakers 42:07 - Memphis Grizzlies 44:15 - Miami Heat 47:37 - Minnesota Timberwolves 49:05 - Milwaukee Bucks 50:09 - New Orleans Pelicans 52:16 - New York Knicks 55:04 - Oklahoma City Thunder 56:33 - Orlando Magic 58:01 - Philadelphia 76ers 59:41 - Phoenix Suns 1:01:30 - Portland Trail Blazers 1:03:20 - Sacramento Kings 1:04:57 - San Antonio Spurs 1:06:39 - Toronto Raptors 1:08:40 - Utah Jazz 1:11:06 - Washington Wizards Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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