Open Floor: SI's NBA Show - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Fan Unruliness, Luke May Be Unstoppable, & First Round Disappointments May 27, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode of Open Floor, Michael and Chris discuss unruly fans, the struggling Clippers, how Kawhi Leonard's free agency may be impacted if Los Angeles is eliminated in Round 1, Nate McMillan vs. himself, which players have disappointed them the most so far in these playoffs, and more!

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Playoffs Are Finally Underway May 24, 2021

Show notes

In today's episode, Michael Pina welcomes his (other) new co-host, Sports Illustrated staff writer Rohan Nadkarni to the show! The two recap several games from the weekend, and ask how concerned the Lakers, Suns (get better, Chris Paul!), Heat, Jazz, and Clippers should really be as they approach Game 2.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Wizards Win Their Way In, Lakers Still Contending, & The Best Playoff Matchups May 21, 2021

Show notes

In today's episode, Michael Pina welcomes his new co-host, Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Chris Herring to the show! The two talk play-in developments—the punchy Wizards, whether or not they still believe the Lakers should be considered a contender, and what's next for the Pacers—before previewing the NBA playoffs with a discussion around the series and matchups they're most looking forward to.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ten questions about LeBron vs. Steph, the play-in & the 2021 playoffs May 18, 2021

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina wrap up a wild final weekend of the regular season by asking 10 questions about the upcoming play-in tournament and playoffs. As teams jockeyed for seeds down the stretch, did any cross the line and anger the basketball gods? Which play-in teams were the biggest winners and losers once the dust settled? Does a match-up between LeBron James and Stephen Curry guarantee that the play-in will be back next year? Are the Boston Celtics ready to head to Cancun? Of the teams that barely missed out on the play-in, which was the saddest? What are the best and worst first-round match-ups that have already been set?

Note: This was Ben's last episode as co-host of Open Floor. Ben will continue podcasting about the NBA. For more information, visit www.greatestofalltalk.com. More details about what's next for Open Floor will come later this week.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Playoff Pressure Check & Show Announcement May 14, 2021

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open by discussing the excellent feedback for Michael's SI Daily Cover story about Spurs guard Dejounte Murray. Then, they make a major show announcement: Ben will be stepping down on May 17 after a five-year run as co-host of "Open Floor." From there, Ben and Michael look ahead to the upcoming 2021 NBA playoffs by ranking which star players are facing the most pressure. Does any player need to win a title more than James Harden? Can Giannis Antetokounmpo's reputation survive another early exit? How far do the 76ers need to advance before Joel Embiid starts to be labeled as a postseason underachiever? What has Kawhi Leonard done for us lately? Are Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz about to run head first into a referendum?

Note: Ben will continue podcasting about the NBA. For more information, visit www.greatestofalltalk.com. For comments, questions and concerns about Ben's departure, please email openfloormail@gmail.com. More details about what's next for Open Floor will be released next week.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Luka's temper, Zion's finger & All-NBA backlash May 11, 2021

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open by discussing Luka Doncic's attempted low blow on Collin Sexton. Is Doncic's temper becoming a problem and does an unsportsmanlike act like that change how we should view a player? Then, a discussion of Pelicans executive David Griffin's rigorous defense of Zion Williamson after the second-year star broke his finger. Were the NBA's referees really to blame for the injury and did Griffin deserve to be fined? From there, the guys preview Michael's piece on Spurs guard Dejounte Murray and then dig into responses to their All-NBA debates from last week. Was Russell Westbrook snubbed? Should Ben be judged for listing Joel Embiid at forward? Is Michael a LeBron James hater?

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Picking the All-NBA teams May 07, 2021

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina turn their attention to the 2021 All-NBA selections. How do the NBA's positional designations impact this year's teams? Is it okay to treat Joel Embiid as a forward rather than a center if the NBA allows it? Is Embiid deserving of a first team spot because he's been a top-five player this season? How many players are no-brainers for the first team? Is Damian Lillard or Luka Doncic more deserving? Has Ben come around on Stephen Curry and has Michael changed his mind on Chris Paul? How should voters handle players like LeBron James, James Harden, Kevin Durant and others who have missed extended stretches of the season? Is it okay to snub LeBron entirely? Does Zion Williamson or Julius Randle deserve to make it? Both? Neither? Who are this year's biggest snubs? Should the NBA do away with positional designations for All-NBA?

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Lakers crumbling, King Jokic & "Bubbleball" book preview May 04, 2021

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina pick up the pieces from a wild weekend of basketball to discuss the crumbling Los Angeles Lakers, the streaking Denver Nuggets, and the exciting duel between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. What's wrong with Anthony Davis? Did LeBron James return too quickly? Does Andre Drummond even fit? Should Nikola Jokic be viewed as the best player in basketball, not just this year's MVP? Can Giannis Antetokounmpo sustain his monster 49-point effort against Brooklyn across an entire playoff series or will the Nets adjust their defensive approach to stopping him? Would James Harden have made a difference on Sunday? At the end, Michael helps Ben preview his first book, "Bubbleball," which releases on Tuesday. How will the bubble be remembered? What was Ben's writing process like? What are the worst questions he's gotten during promo interviews?

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Handicapping the 2026 NBA MVP race Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina break out their crystal balls in an attempt to handicap the 2026 NBA MVP race. What will the NBA look like in five years? Which types of players will have the inside track on the league's most coveted award? Will any players who are currently 30 or older be in the mix? Will playmaking forwards still dominate the discussion. Once they've set the parameters, Ben and Michael break out their top five lists. Luka Doncic or Zion Williamson? Where should Anthony Davis rank? Do any current rookies like LaMelo Ball or incoming 2022 rookies like Cade Cunningham crack the top five? Can Bam Adebayo be the next Kevin Garnett? Can Ja Morant be the next Derrick Rose? Should Michael Porter Jr. be included among the dark horse contenders?

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Coach of the Year & Most Improved Player award debates Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina search for silver linings during the NBA's pandemic season by highlighting two interesting awards races: Coach of the Year and Most Improved Player. Which criteria should matter more in Coach of the Year: results or overachievement? Will Utah's Quin Snyder and Phoenix's Monty Williams be held back by skepticism about their teams' playoff capabilities? Will Tom Thibodeau carry the day thanks to big-market bias? Does Steve Nash have a case? What about Doc Rivers or Nate McMillan? Who is the League Pass Alert Coach of the Year aka the underrated coach who doesn't get enough attention? Is MIP going to Julius Randle no matter what? Do Zion Williamson and Michael Porter Jr. have cases despite their relative youth? And is Michael crazy for suggesting Joel Embiid deserves a look?

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy