Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

MAILBAG: The Knicks!, Jokic/MPJ, Jimmy Butler, Miles Bridges, Evan Mobley, Raptors Rookies Nov 02, 2021

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MAIL TIME! This week's dive into listener questions will cover the New York Knicks' hot start (loss to the Toronto Raptors not withstanding), Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., the Denver Nuggets' depth, the NBA's worst benches, Miles Bridges, Dalano Banton, RJ Barrett, the Most Improved Player, Dejounte Murray and muuuuch more! TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 0:27 - Intro 🔘 3:01 - Quick thoughts on the Hawks and Nets 🔘 5:18 - The Knicks! 🔘 10:39 - Will RJ Barrett have an MIP case? 🔘 13:33 - Nikola Jokic/Denver Nuggets bench 🔘 16:24 - Michael Porter Jr. 🔘 21:41 - Can you statistically measure fun? / The Hornets 🔘 24:25 - Is Miles Bridges' leap sustainable? 🔘 28:03 - Are the Bulls legit contenders? 🔘 32:54 - How many games until team and player performance are representative of new normals? 🔘 35:36 - Worst benches in the league 🔘 42:22 - Evan Mobley's ceiling 🔘 47:29 - Scottie Barnes' statistical impact/ceiling 🔘 51:43 - Franz Wagner 🔘 52:32 - Dalano Banton 🔘 54:10 - Best second-round rookies from 2021 class 🔘 55:40 - Lakers and Wizards 🔘 1:01:16 - How good is Dejounte Murray? 🔘 1:04:02 - Jimmy Butler's MVP case/overall player ranking Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Truth or Trash?!? - Suns, Harden, Lakers, Grizzlies, Hornets, Cavs, More Oct 29, 2021

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It's time for our second annual NBA 'Truth or Trash?!?' Sure, it's basically rebranded 'Fact or Fiction," but who cares? Dan is joined by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to discuss a bunch of surprising early-season trends and whether they should be viewed as new normals (truth!) or fleeting blips on the radar (trash!). Their discussion covers the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, James Harden, Charlotte Hornets and Miles Bridges, Memphis Grizzlies, Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers and muuuuuch more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:30 - Intro 🔘 4:12 - The Suns! 🔘 14:17 - Anthony Davis/Lakers 🔘 25:02 - Lakers vs. Clippers 🔘 31:55 - Bulls, Cavs & Timberwolves 🔘 44:35 - The Warriors 🔘 55:56 - Ja Morant 🔘 1:00:30 - Desmond Bane 🔘 1:04:08 - The Grizzlies' Starting Five 🔘 1:07:13 - James Harden 🔘 1:16:39 - The Hornets 🔘 1:21:51 - Miles Bridges 🔘 1:25:26 - The Hawks Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAILBAG: Ben Simmons, Ja vs. Zion, The Bulls! Tyler Herro, Nuggets Title Chances Oct 26, 2021

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MAIL TIME IS BACK! In our first mailbag of the 2021-22 NBA season, Hardwood Knocks covers the Ben Simmons saga FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE, talks about Tyler Herro's development, the Chicago Bulls' hot start, Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, mid-range jumpers and muuuuuch more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Ben Simmons...but not what you think (3:27) 🔘 Ja Morant vs. Zion Williamson (14:40) 🔘 Are we sleeping on the Nuggets? (22:29) 🔘 Tyler Herro's development (26:49) 🔘 Good mid-range vs. bad mid-range shots (33:03) 🔘 Are the Bulls for real? (36:58) 🔘 Most interesting stat you've ever seen (41:11) 🔘 Top-75 snubs (44:10) 🔘 Are you for a four-point line? (49:13) 🔘 Which team could have the best starting five if they could only chose from their bench? (53:29) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2021-22 NBA Win-Total Predictions for Every Team Oct 19, 2021

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Adam is back, which means the band is back, which means he and Dan have over/under win predictions for every NBA team ahead of the 2021-22 season. Buckle up for safety. The takes are about to fly. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:00 - Intro 🔘 3:12 - Approach 🔘 8:44 - Atlanta Hawks 🔘 11:34 - Boston Celtics 🔘 15:19 - Brooklyn Nets 🔘 19:19 - Charlotte Hornets 🔘 24:13 - Chicago Bulls 🔘 30:59 - Cleveland Cavaliers 🔘 36:01 - Dallas Mavericks 🔘 39:50 - Denver Nuggets 🔘 43:24 - Detroit Pistons 🔘 46:48 - Golden State Warriors 🔘 51:14 - Houston Rockets 🔘 55:20 - Indiana Pacers 🔘 58:57 - LA Clippers 🔘 1:03:03 - Los Angeles Lakers 🔘 1:11:22 - Memphis Grizzlies 🔘 1:14:59 - Miami Heat 🔘 1:22:01 - Milwaukee Bucks 🔘 1:27:30 - Minnesota Timberwolves 🔘 1:32:40 - New Orleans Pelicans 🔘 1:38:24 - New York Knicks 🔘 1:46:17 - Oklahoma City Thunder 🔘 1:50:05 - Orlando Magic 🔘 1:55:25 - Philadelphia 76ers 🔘 1:58:59 - Phoenix Suns 🔘 2:00:48 - Portland Trail Blazers 🔘 2:06:31 - Sacramento Kings 🔘 2:11:26 - San Antonio Spurs 🔘 2:15:03 - Toronto Raptors 🔘 2:20:07 - Utah Jazz 🔘 2:24:01 - Washington Wizards Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2021-22 Miami Heat Lookahead Oct 18, 2021

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Dan is joined by Allana Tachauer (@AllanaTachauer) of the Feel The Heat podcast over at 5 Reasons Sports to discuss all things Miami Heat ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their discussion covers Kyle Lowry's arrival and impact, the next step for Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler's jumper, Tyler Herro's development, Victor Oladipo's timeline for return and potential value, the bench rotation, lineup possibilities, the defense, the floor spacing and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:30 - Intro 🔘 3:30 - Kyle Lowry's fit and impact 🔘 6:23 - P.J. Tucker's value 🔘 8:25 - Bam Adebayo's next step 🔘 10:25 - Jimmy Butler 🔘 12:22 - Expectations for Tyler Herro in Year 3 🔘 15:53 - Victor Oladipo's timeline/role upon return 🔘 18:03 - The offense's pace 🔘 19:53 - Max Strus and Gabe Vincent 🔘 21:30 - The top-10 rotation 🔘 24:46 - Is Miami deep enough? 🔘 25:42 - Trade candidates 🔘 30:03 - The defense's ceiling 🔘 33:33 - Does Miami have enough shooting? 🔘 36:10 - Biggest Weakness 🔘 39:50 - Best crunch-time lineup 🔘 43:40 - Quirky lineups we want to see 🔘 45:34 - Kyle Lowry's impact on the culture 🔘 47:54 - Win-total prediction/Place in the East Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2021-22 Chicago Bulls Lookahead Oct 17, 2021

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Dan is joined by Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) from the Cash Considerations podcast for a mega-ultra-super-deep dive into the Chicago Bulls ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation covers a reaction to the Bulls' offseason, Zach LaVine's superstardom, the fit between he, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball's impact on offense, the importance of Alex Caruso and Patrick Williams, the defense, the backup wing and big rotations, lineup possibilities, Javonte Green's play and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 2:03 - Intro 🔘 5:06 - Impressions of the Bulls' offseason 🔘 7:44 - Chicago's direction since the 2021 trade deadline 🔘 15:11 - The fit of Lonzo, LaVine, DeRozan and Vooch/How will the stars be staggered? 🔘 18:26 - Alex Caruso's fit and role 🔘 20:02 - Coby White's future 🔘 25:06 - Patrick Williams' role/development 🔘 29:36 - The backup frontcourt rotation 🔘 31:46 - Will Javonte Green get regular minutes? 🔘 33:27 - Chicago's defensive ceiling 🔘 36:19 - Best crunch-time lineup 🔘 38:21 - The late-game rotation 🔘 39:35 - Quirky lineups we want to see/Troy Brown Jr. 🔘 43:05 - Ayo Dosunmu 🔘 45:32 - Win-total prediction/Place in the East 🔘 49:32 - Trade candidates 🔘 51:06 - Final thoughts about Chicago's future Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2021-22 Orlando Magic Lookahead Oct 16, 2021

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Dan is joined by Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) from The NBA Front Office Show and Spotrac for a deeeeeep dive into the Orlando Magic ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation covers the Wendell Carter Jr. extension, rookie-year expectations for Jalen Suggs, trade candidates, the health of Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz, the 10-man rotation, Mo Bamba, lineup possibilities, RJ Hampton's ceiling, win-total predictions and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 2:03 - Intro 🔘 4:00 - Wendell Carter Jr.'s extension 🔘 9:55 - Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac 🔘 12:56 - Jalen Suggs: Rookie-year role and 🔘 expectations 🔘 15:41 - The backcourt rotation 🔘 18:10 - RJ Hampton/Cole Anthony 🔘 21:10 - Expectations for Chuma Okeke 🔘 23:29 - Wendell Carter Jr. 🔘 31:46 - Mo /Robin Lopez/Frontcourt rotation 🔘 37:33 - Top-10 rotation 🔘 40:50 - Impressions of Franz Wagner 🔘 42:49 - Orlandos' style under Jamahl Mosley 🔘 44:48 - Biggest weakness 🔘 47:19 - Trade candidates 🔘 51:22 - Best crunch-time lineup 🔘 53:02 - Quirky lineups we want to see 🔘 56:38 - The Magic's overall direction 🔘 1:00:17 - Win-total prediction 🔘 1:03:21 - Orlando's place in the standings Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks IG: @hardwood_knocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2021-22 Memphis Grizzlies Lookahead Oct 15, 2021

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Dan is joined by Sharon Brown (@SharonShyBrown) of the Memphis Flyer for a fantastic and in-depth discussion about the Memphis Grizzlies ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation covers Ja Morant's development, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s future, Ziaire Williams' role as a rookie, the center rotation after trading Jonas Valanciunas for Steven Adams, Kyle Anderson's value, Desmond Bane's breakout potential, lineup possibilities and a lot more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 2:03 - Intro 🔘 5:15 - Offseason takeaways 🔘 7:59 - Jaren Jackson Jr.'s development and role 🔘 11:24 - The frontcourt rotation 🔘 13:12 - Desmond Bane's breakout potential 🔘 14:20 - Ja Morant's deepening bag 🔘 19:06 - Starting-lineup permutations 🔘 22:34 - Rookie-year expectations for Ziaire Williams 🔘 24:36 - Will Jarrett Culver, er, play? 🔘 28:10 - Does Memphis have enough shooting and secondary creation? 🔘 29:36 - The defense 🔘 31:46 - Biggest weakness 🔘 33:56 - Trade candidates 🔘 35:44 - Dillon Brooks 🔘 37:07 - Best crunch-time lineup 🔘 38:14 - Quirky lineups we want to see 🔘 39:58 - Win-total prediction/Place in the West 🔘 41:13 - Importance of Steven Adams Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2021-22 New Orleans Pelicans Lookahead Oct 15, 2021

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Dan is joined by Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) from the In The N.O. podcast for an honest and thorough talk about the New Orleans Pelicans' present and future ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss New Orleans' somewhat controversial offseason, Zion Williamson's health, development and happiness, how the team will build out the rotation, Nickeil Alexander-Walker's ceiling, Trey Murphy III's fit, the defense, lineup possibilities and much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 2:03 - Intro 🔘 4:31 - Offseason takeaways/impressions 🔘 9:51 - Zion Williamson's health and future 🔘 19:52 - Zion's on-court development/defense 🔘 23:49 - Starting-five predictions/preferences 🔘 26:10 - Jonas Valanciunas' fit and value 🔘 28:34 - Expectations for Nickeil Alexander-Walker 🔘 32:27 - Jaxson Hayes/The backup center rotation 🔘 37:35 - Trey Murphy III's role/rookie-year expectations 🔘 40:44 - Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple, Kira Lewis Jr. 🔘 43:04 - Kira Lewis' future 🔘 45:06 - Devonte' Graham 🔘 46:03 - Naji Marshall's role and value 🔘 48:42 - Biggest weakness 🔘 50:19 - Brandon Ingram 🔘 51:34 - Josh Hart 🔘 54:56 - Best crunch-time lineup 🔘 56:13 - Quirky lineups we want to see 🔘 57:10 - Win-total prediction/Place in the West 🔘 1:00:19 - Willie Green's impact Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2021-22 Minnesota Timberwolves Lookahead Oct 14, 2021

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Dan is joined by Derek James (@DerekJamesNBA), one of the smartest Minnesota Timberwolves insiders/analysts/writers around, to talk about—you guessed it!—the Minnesota Timberwolves in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss the Wolves' interest in Ben Simmons, Year 2 expectations for Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns' place in the superstar hierarchy, D'Angelo Russell's value and role, lineup possibilities, Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels' season, the 10-man rotation, Chris Finch's impact, Patrick Beverley and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 2:03 - Intro 🔘 6:20 - Minnesota's offseason 🔘 10:05 - Ben Simmons talk 🔘 20:08 - Chris Finch's impact 🔘 23:51 - Can the defense be much better? 🔘 26:33 - Year 2 expectations for Anthony Edwards 🔘 29:33 - D'Angelo Russell's role/fit next to Ant 🔘 33:34 - Karl-Anthony Towns Appreciation Minutes 🔘 42:01 - Jaden McDaniels' ceiling 🔘 46:02 - The frontcourt rotation beside KAT: Naz Reid, Jarred Vanderbilt, McDaniels, etc. 🔘 47:21 - Top-10 rotation 🔘 50:00 - Minny's biggest weakness 🔘 51:15 - Trade candidates 🔘 53:34 - Best crunch-time lineup 🔘 56:08 - Quirky lineups we want to see 🔘 57:27 - Win-total prediction/Place in the West Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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