Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Dillon Brooks/Kyle Anderson Trades, Klay Thompson, Hornets, Jokic's MVP Case, T-Wolves' Ceiling Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

MAIL TIME. In the first of a two-part listener-driven shindig, Hardwood Knocks comes up with the best fits and trades for Kyle Anderson and Dillon Brooks; Brandon Clarke's NBA ceiling; expectations for the Minnesota Timberwolves; potential lineups for the Charlotte Hornets; the path to Nikola Jokic winning a second NBA MVP; the Denver Nuggets' place in the Western Conference without Jamal Murray; a what-if Klay Thompson scenario; and much more! TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 What's the ceiling on a fully healthy Timberwolves team? (3:01) 🔘 What must Nikola Jokic do to repeat as MVP? (5:51) 🔘 Are the Nuggets a top-four contender with Jamal Murray? (10:10) 🔘 How good would a team with Klay Thompson as its best player be? (13:42) 🔘 Brandon Clarke's future (18:17) 🔘 Should the Grizzlies move Kyle Anderson/Dillon Brooks (19:59) 🔘 Best Kyle Anderson/Dillon Brooks trade destinations (24:52) 🔘 Starting/closing lineup options for the Hornets (33:35) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBA Rumors and News Catch-Up: Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart Aug 20, 2021

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It's time to catch up on the latest batch of NBA rumors and news. In this episode, Dan covers the Terry Rozier extension, Marcus Smart extension, Joel Embiid extension, Ben Simmons trade rumors, the Philadelphia 76ers' future, the 2021 Christmas Day Slate, potential rookie extensions and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Terry Rozier extension (1:28) 🔘 Marcus Smart extension (6:49) 🔘 Impact of extensions on free agency (10:36) 🔘 Long-term financial security vs. Tile contention (14:56) 🔘 Analyzing the Joel Embiid extension (19:56) 🔘 Will Ben Simmons END next season in Philly? (24:11) 🔘 Can you build around Ben Simmons? (34:06) 🔘 Kevin Durant/Draymond Green interview (40:58) 🔘 Most interesting rookie extensions (42:58) 🔘 What are the Grizzlies doing?!? (49:46) 🔘 Best rehabilitation projects from 2017 draft class (55:44) 🔘 Scorching-hot 2021 Christmas Day schedule takezzz (59:45) 🔘 #WashedKing (1:02:06) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Draft Steals, Suggs vs Barnes, Rudy Gobert, Kings Defense, Warriors, Richaun Holmes Aug 17, 2021

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MAIL TIME. Our latest plunge for listener questions will cover studs from Summer League; our bigger non-lottery steals from the 2021 draft; Richaun Holmes; the Golden State Warriors' wing rotation; the Sacramento Kings' defense; Jalen Suggs vs. Scottie Barnes; the Denver Nuggets; the Charlotte Hornets; Russell Westbrook; and much more. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Summer League takeaways (2:27) 🔘 Predicting biggest draft steals outside the lottery (11:28) 🔘 Bol Bol (17:56) 🔘 Is Atlanta built for a trade? (22:57) 🔘 When did positions become so fluid? (27:09) 🔘 Rudy Gobert or The Field for DPOY? (30:20) 🔘 Jamal Murray/Nuggets (34:34) 🔘 Scottie Barnes vs. Jalen Suggs (39:10) 🔘 Best way to compare players at different players?(42:13) 🔘 The Warriors wing rotation (45:27) 🔘 Unassisted threes (55:00) 🔘 Kings defense (57:28) 🔘 Russell Westbrook/Lakers (1:02:37) 🔘 The Jazz (1:03:45) 🔘 Should the Hornets have gone harder after Richaun Holmes? (1:07:11) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBA Agent Todd Ramasar on Josh Primo to the Spurs, Pre-Draft Process Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

Josh Primo, the youngest player in the 2021 draft, was initially projected to go in the second round. He ended up with the San Antonio Spurs at No. 12. How did that happen? Dan spoke Todd Ramasar (@tramasar), agent to Primo and Pascal Siakam, as well as the founder and president of Life Sports Agency, about what went into Josh's rise and how impactful the pre-draft process is in general. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Todd's first impressions of Josh (4:25) 🔘 How Josh prepared for the draft (6:50) 🔘 Josh's developmental curve outside of Alabama (11:55) 🔘 Concerns Josh had to overturn during pre-draft process (16:34) 🔘 When was it clear Josh would be drafted much earlier than expected? (19:44) 🔘 How youth factors into projecting draft prospects (22:22) 🔘 Impact of Josh's performance at the draft combine (26:12) 🔘 Was it *actually* a surprise to see Josh go at No. 12? (29:08) 🔘 Importance of organizational fit for draft prospects (32:15) 🔘 Unique impact of individual workouts for 2021 draft class (34:55) 🔘 The player-agent relationship (39:38) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAILBAG: Steph vs. Trae, Raptors, Bulls, Jazz, Kangz(?), Mavs, Hornets, RJ Barrett, More Aug 10, 2021

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test dive into listener questions includes a look at Stephen Curry's Year 3 in the NBA vs. Trae Young's Year 3 in the NBA; the highest usage rate of all time among LeBron James' teammates; how much the Charlotte Hornets improved; the Toronto Raptors' approach to building a team; breakout candidates for the Orlando Magic; the developmental arc of RJ Barrett; ideal acquisitions the Dallas Mavericks could still target; and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Youngest championship teams (1:41) 🔘 LeBron's highest-usage teammates ever (4:54) 🔘 Oldest players at summer league (7:09) 🔘 Trae Young vs. Steph Curry in Year 3 (12:20) 🔘 Did the Hornets improve? Should they have spent more on a center? (15:45) 🔘 Will the Jazz be better than they were last season? (21:51) 🔘 The Kings' offseason (29:01) 🔘 The Raptors' roster construction (33:54) 🔘 Ideal "gets" for the Mavericks (39:04) 🔘 Breakout candidates for the Magic (47:58) 🔘 Predicting next season's biggest disappointments (50:45) 🔘 Year 3 expectations for RJ Barrett (1:01:01) 🔘 Would you re-do any of the Knicks' moves? (1:06:24) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Impossible Rise of an NBA MVP Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

You may have heard that The Ringer's Mirin Fader (@MirinFader) has a book coming out on August 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP. Well, she joined Hardwood Knocks to talk anything and everything about the book, from the writing process during a pandemic to what she sees driving Giannis forward in the wake of the Milwaukee Bucks' NBA title. Along the way, she reveals the ultimate sports-related reading list, her thoughts on Simone Biles, and so much more that's sure to capture your attention and interest. Purchase Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP here. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Striking a balance between writing about basketball and Giannis' identity off the court (2:27) 🔘 The writing process, and how it was impacted by the pandemic (5:38) 🔘 Watching Milwaukee's title run after writing the book (10:36) 🔘 The fact-checking/collaboration process (15:29) 🔘 What will Giannis' motivation be after winning MVPs and a title? (18:12) 🔘 Giannis finding his political voice (19:58) 🔘 Giannis' impact on Black Greek people in Athens (22:51) 🔘 Brace yourself Atlanta Hawks fans 😬 (24:33) 🔘 Giannis' relative anonymity entering the 2013 draft and during his rookie season (26:01) 🔘 Favorite quote from the Bucks' championship run (30:22) 🔘 Getting unique insight into Giannis' personality (32:03) 🔘 Thoughts on the reaction to Simone Biles withdrawing from Olympic events (33:27) 🔘 Mirin's quintessential sports-related books (39:22) 🔘 Mirin's writing influences (41:25) 🔘 Book release (44:20) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Free-Agency Winners & Losers (So Far): Lakers, Pelicans, Bulls, Bucks, Heat, Knicks, Raptors, Warriors Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

Good lord. The first couple days of NBA free agency were a whirlwind. And while there's still plenty of offseason left to unfold, Hardwood Knocks tapped Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to dole out early impressions of what's taken place so far. Along with Dan, he covers the moves made by the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and muuuuch more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Free-Agency landscape (2:10) 🔘 Lakers (6:19) 🔘 Bulls (17:06) 🔘 Pelicans (27:01) 🔘 Heat (34:22) 🔘 Knicks (44:44) 🔘 Warriors (57:43) 🔘 Raptors (1:07:09) 🔘 Western Conference hierarchy (1:14:45) 🔘 Suns (1:22:18) 🔘 Kings (1:26:06) 🔘 Cavs/Jarrett Allen (1:27:54) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2021 NBA Offseason Trade & Free-Agency Targets for Every Eastern Conference Team Jul 29, 2021

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Hardwood Knocks analyzes the free-agency and trade markets for all 15 NBA teams in the Eastern Conference, a journey that covers proposed targets and hypothetical trades galore. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 👉 Hawks (3:20) 👉 Celtics (8:31) 👉 Nets (18:44) 👉 Hornets (24:48) 👉 Bulls (30:57) 👉 Cavaliers (39:46) 👉 Pistons (46:27) 👉 Pacers (50:19) 👉 Heat (56:28) 👉 Bucks (59:59) 👉 Knicks (1:04:33) 👉 Magic (1:09:44) 👉 Sixers (1:12:43) 👉 Raptors (1:17:51) 👉 Wizards (1:21:15) Check out our trade and free-agency targets for every Western Conference team here. Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Grizzlies-Pelicans Trade, Top Free-Agency & Trade Targets for Every Western Conference Team Jul 27, 2021

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NBA Offseason mode is fully engaged, and so are we. Adam and Dan analyze the ins and outs of the trade between the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies, covering everything from the cap mechanisms to how it impacts Lonzo Ball, Kyle Lowry, Ja Morant and much more. After that, we give our top trade and free-agency targets for all 15 Western Conference teams. Let's ride! TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Pelicans-Grizzlies Trade Analysis (1:53) 👉 Impact on Pelicans (3:30) 👉 Impact on Grizzlies (17:44) 🔘 Top Trade and Free-Agency Targets 👉 Grizzlies (26:53) 👉 Pelicans (33:33) 👉 Mavericks (46:07) 👉 Nuggets (52:15) 👉 Warriors (57:57) 👉 Rockets (1:03:32) 👉 Clippers (1:07:06) 👉 Lakers (1:13:06) 👉 Timberwolves (1:18:36) 👉 Thunder (1:21:57) 👉 Suns (1:27:16) 👉 Blazers (1:33:26) 👉 Kings (1:37:25) 👉 Spurs (1:43:56) 👉 Jazz (1:48:33) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2021 NBA Draft Primer Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

NBA DRAFT SZN LET'S F'N GO! Hardwood Knocks brings back the best in the biz, Adam Spinella (@Spinella14) of The Box and One (@theboxandone_) to discuss everything about the 2021 NBA draft. We cover how to go about building a big board, draft philosophy, Coach Spins' top-10 big board, the most underrated prospects, Jalen Suggs, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Jared Butler, Sharife Cooper, Trey Murphy III, Davion Mitchell, Usman Garuba, Scottie Barnes, some of YOUR questions and muuuuch more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Approach to building a draft-prospect big board (2:24) 🔘 Drafting best player available vs. drafting for fit (11:08) 🔘 Top 10 Big Board (21:24) 🔘 Evan Mobley vs. Scottie Barnes (29:50) 🔘 Usman Garuba (33:48) 🔘 Davion Mitchell (37:02) 🔘 Alperen Sengun (39:59) 🔘 Jalen Johnson (43:02) 🔘 Sharife Cooper (46:12) 🔘 Most Underrated Prospects: 👉Guard/Primary Playmaker (49:08) 👉Wing (49:59) 👉Big (51:18) 🔘 Cam Thomas (52:38) 🔘 Bones Highland (54:32) 🔘 Ayo Dosunmu (59:00) 🔘 Trey Murphy III (61:20) 🔘 Can the Suns trade up for Kai Jones? (1:05:58) 🔘 How do we normalize NBA comps? (1:07:24) 🔘 Will James Bouknight go in the top 10? (1:11:20) 🔘 Best shooters in the draft (1:11:51) 🔘 If the Warriors keep their picks, who should they target at No. 7 and No. 14 ? (1:15:07) 🔘 Bradley Beal, Pascal Siakam and the Warriors (1:17:48) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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