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

Latest Episodes:

James Harden blockbuster trade: Winners and Losers Jan 14, 2021

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina dig into all aspects of the Brooklyn Nets' blockbuster trade for Houston Rockets superstar James Harden. How happy is Ben after his November vision for Brooklyn's Big 3 came true? Are NBA fans winners because the Rockets saga is over? Are the Nets now the clear-cut favorites in the East? Did they overpay? Will Kyrie Irving be okay with playing third fiddle? Was this the trade that Kevin Durant needed? Did the 76ers miss their shot? What does Harden's successful departure do to competitive balance? Should the Rockets have kept Caris LeVert? Was Tilman Fertitta the NBA's biggest loser over the last 12 months? What can Houston expect from John Wall, Victor Oladipo and Christian Wood? Will the Nets be able to compensate inside without Jarrett Allen?

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

COVID woes mount, Stephen Curry's magnetism, Clippers' highs & lows Jan 11, 2021

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina discuss the NBA's rise in positive tests, contact tracing absences, and postponed games. How close is the NBA to pushing pause on the season? How might the league respond to tighten up its protocols to ensure games can continue? Do the absences devalue the product? From there, Ben and Michael break down both sides of an entertaining game between the Warriors and Clippers. Has Stephen Curry proven Michael right by making Golden State the NBA's most entertaining team? What exactly ailed the Clippers during their collapse and how have they changed from last season? Can the Clippers topple the Lakers if they can't generate more offense at the basket? The show closes with an email from an Open Floor Globe member who powered through a marathon by listening to Michael's takes on the Phoenix Suns.

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

NBA protests Jacob Blake ruling & Capitol storming Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open with an extended discussion of the various protests that swept the NBA on Wednesday night in response to a lack of charges in the Jacob Blake shooting and the storming of the Capitol Building in Washington. Was it surprising that all games went on as planned? What are the next steps for NBA protests after the bubble shutdown? What role did the NBA's successful voting rights advocacy in Georgia play in the league's reaction to this week's events? From there, Ben and Michael take stock of Wednesday's games. How long will Bradley Beal endure 60-point games in losses? What's driving the Knicks' early success? How will Orlando react to Markelle Fultz's ACL tear?

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

All angles on Stephen Curry's 62-point explosion Jan 04, 2021

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open by basking in the glow of Stephen Curry's 62-point explosion. Did Curry actually have something to prove? Were any of the recent criticisms warranted? Where does Golden State go from here? Is Curry bound to live out a "Super-Dirk" existence as he progresses through his 30s? From there, Ben and Michael discuss Jayson Tatum's game-winner, Blake Griffin's decline, Brooklyn's latest late-game mishap, and Kawhi Leonard's weekend struggles.

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

NBA New Year's Resolutions Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021 by offering 10 New Year's Resolutions to NBA players, teams, and commentators. Should Steve Nash exert himself more late in games? Should the Sixers trade Ben Simmons and three first-round picks for James Harden? Should Luka Doncic build a world-class gym at his home? Should the Grizzlies tank? Should Scott Brooks have a word with the Wizards' broadcast crew?

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

NBA opening week chaos; First-time All-Star watch Dec 28, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina pick up the pieces after a chaotic opening week by trying to spot trends. Are the Nets on track for the Finals or set to come back to earth? Are the Warriors dead on arrival or poised for a bounce back? How does Kevin Durant's decision to leave the Warriors look 18 months later? Is Ja Morant making the leap in front of our eyes? From there, Ben and Michael shift to examining which players have the best shot to earn their first All-Star selections in 2021.

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

10 teams, 10 takes on NBA opening week Dec 24, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina wrap up the opening week of NBA action with takes on 10 different teams. Did the NBA handle the latest James Harden controversy properly? What did it feel like inside the Staples Center for the Lakers' opening night? Does Philly have enough talent to climb in the East standings? Was Jayson Tatum's banked three-pointer the greatest moment of Michael's life? Have the Pelicans returned with a happier vibe? Are the Jazz ready to lead the NBA in three-point attempts? How sure are we that Steve Kerr will be the coach of the Warriors next season?

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

Coaches on the hot seat; Top 100 of 2021 debates Dec 21, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina gear up for opening week with a breakdown of the new extensions given to Rudy Gobert and Kyle Kuzma. From there, they shift into a conversation about NBA coaches on the hot seat? What does Mike Budenholzer need to do to keep his job in Milwaukee? Are Lloyd Pierce and Ryan Saunders facing new pressure? Can Washington's Scott Brooks earn a new contract in his lame duck year? They close with three debates to tease Ben's upcoming Top 100 Players of 2021 rankings list. Who would you take: Giannis Antetokounmpo or Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry or Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard or Nikola Jokic?

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

Giannis Antetokounmpo's supermax & NBA awards debates Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open with a big announcement: SI has formed a slack channel for all Open Floor Globe members to use during the upcoming NBA season. Ben and Michael will be popping in there from time to time, so check out http://www.si.com/openfloorglobe. From there, Ben and Michael dig into Giannis Antetokounmpo's supermax extension. Did Giannis settle? Do the Bucks have a title path? What are the possible downsides in Milwaukee over the next few years? Then, the guys shift into debate mode to predict all the major NBA awards. Can Damian Lillard or Kawhi Leonard take home MVP? Does Caris LeVert have the inside track for Sixth Man? Will evolving defensive priorities shape the Defensive Player of the Year conversation?

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

Pina's Postseason Picks: Handicapping playoff bubble races Dec 14, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open Monday's episode with big breaking news about Michael's exciting new career move. Then, the guys shift into a discussion of the playoff bubble races in both conferences. Who does Michael predict will be the last three teams to make the playoffs in both conferences? Who will be the first three teams to miss the playoffs? In the West, What's Golden State's ceiling? Can Dallas win a series? Does Minnesota inspire optimism? Is Zion Williamson headed for a monster bounce-back? In the East, are Atlanta and Washington the Spiderman pointing meme? Is Indiana's drama being overstated? Will Miami come back to Earth? What in the world is going on in Orlando?

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