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

Latest Episodes:

An inside look at the Milwaukee Bucks' historic walkout Aug 27, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina discuss the Milwaukee Bucks' historic walkout and react to the NBA players' decision to continue with the 2020 playoffs. Ben offers a first-hand account of the Bucks' decision not to play their playoff game against the Orlando Magic in protest of Jacob Blake's police shooting, which triggered a postponement of the NBA's Wednesday schedule. From there, they react in real time to news that the NBA players, after discussing a possible cancelation to the rest of the playoffs, have decided to continue playing.

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Luka Mania Aug 24, 2020

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Ben Golliver and Michael Pina dig deep into Luka Doncic's unbelievable 43-point triple-double against the Los Angeles Clippers by answering a bunch of questions from the Open Floor Globe. Luka or Giannis to start a franchise? Luka, LeBron or Harden to win a title this year? Luka or Dame for Bubble MVP? Would you buy a Luka sneaker? Are the Mavericks the most likeable team in the Bubble? From there, Ben and Michael analyze the Clippers' many issues -- including Paul George's shooting struggles -- and explore the impacts of a potential upset.

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Lakers woes, Joel Embiid's future, Bucks adjustments Aug 21, 2020

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Ben Golliver and Michael Pina recap the early first-round NBA playoff action by digging into the Lakers' shooting struggles. How can LeBron James fix this? What's up with Anthony Davis? Should they go small more often? From there, they shift gears to the Bucks' disappointing Game 1 loss. Will they get right and can their defensive strategy hold up to the way basketball is being played in the bubble? Ben and Michael then give the Sixers a full autopsy and ponder Joel Embiid trades before glancing at Luka Doncic's first playoff win and Denver's defensive problems.

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Goodbye to Boylen, Vlade, Gentry & hello to NBA playoffs Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open by recapping a busy weekend on and off the court. Jim Boylen is out in Chicago, Vlade Divac is out in Sacramento, and Alvin Gentry is out in New Orleans. Will Boylen ever get a second chance? Did Luka Doncic cost Vlade his job? What will the Pelicans look for in their next coach? From there, Ben and Michael recap Portland's play-in win by discussing Ja Morant's upside and Damian Lillard's growing legacy. They close by selecting their most likely first-round upsets, with Michael making a pick that is sure to enrage Lakers fans everywhere.

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NBA playoffs preview Aug 14, 2020

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Ben Golliver and Michael Pina preview the long-awaited NBA playoffs by breaking down the seven first-round match-ups that have been set in stone and guessing who will face the Los Angeles Lakers. Ben and Michael make their predictions for each series and identify key storylines that will determine each series. Out West, does bad blood make Thunder/Rockets the most interesting showdown of the eight series? Will the Clippers flip the switch and lock down Luka Doncic? Will anyone watch Nuggets/Jazz? Are the Lakers at risk of an upset? In the East, will the Celtics fold under the pressure of everyone picking them to destroy the Sixers? Does TJ Warren really have a chance to lead the Pacers past the Heat? Can you name the starting five for the Nets, and is that a bad sign for their match-up with the Raptors? Will the Bucks treat the 2020 Magic like the 2019 Pistons?

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Luka's magic, Lillard's beef, Zion's stumbles Aug 11, 2020

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Ben Golliver and Michael Pina recap a wild weekend of NBA action by rethinking some of their conventional wisdom from before the bubble. Why aren't defenses ahead of offenses? Did the NBA really invite too many teams to Orlando? Will the favorites romp in the playoffs or will chaos reign? From there, they gush about Luka Doncic's electric showing against the Milwaukee Bucks, dig into Damian Lillard's squabble with the Clippers, and try to make sense of the disappointing New Orleans Pelicans. Will Zion Williamson have a new coach next season?

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LeBron James vs. Donald Trump, evolving threes, bubble eavesdropping Aug 07, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open by discussing the back-and-forth between LeBron James and Donald Trump over the NBA's kneeling demonstrations. Did LeBron show a strategic shift from the "U bum" showdown in 2017? Then, they double back quickly to Jonathan Isaac's demonstration to discuss why some people draw a distinction between Black lives mattering in general and the Black Lives Matter movement specifically. From there, Ben and Michael dig into Michael's story on one-dribble three-pointers. Why have they grown in popularity? Why do they matter so much in the modern game? They close with questions from the Open Floor Globe on what it sounds like to hear players and referees banter in the empty bubble gyms, whether too many fouls are being called, and how helpful Gordon Hayward is at this stage of his career.

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NBA Bubble opening weekend HEATERS - NBA Bubble Insider Aug 04, 2020

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Ben Golliver and Michael Pina react to the opening weekend of the NBA Bubble with their boldest opinions and hottest takes. Before diving into the action, they discuss Jonathan Isaac, Meyers Leonard, Gregg Popovich and the other NBA figures who chose not to kneel during the national anthem demonstrations. Then, they hand out superlatives. Most impressive player? Most disappointing performance? Weakest link on a contender? Favorite quote? Coach who is getting canned? Team that's set to implode? And they reassess the tiers of contenders. How many teams showed they have championship potential?

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Recapping NBA bubble opening night: Kneeling! LeBron! Rudy! Zion! - NBA Bubble Insider Jul 31, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina offer a detailed breakdown of the NBA bubble's opening night. They start by analyzing the pre-game social justice demonstrations during the National Anthem by players, coaches and referees. Was this a demonstration, a protest or a sanctioned protest? Then, they pivot to discussing LeBron James's epic opener: a game-winner, a big defensive stand and a moving tribute to Colin Kaepernick. They wrap up by discussing the Pelicans' weird treatment of Zion Williamson and Rudy Gobert's full-circle moment after being the "patient zero" of American sports

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BONUS: Podding the Bubble - Part 3: Will the NBA Bubble Burst? Jul 29, 2020

Show notes

Podding the Bubble is a three-part mini-series taking a deep dive look into the biosphere created by the NBA in Orlando. Part 3 puts the NBA's plan into the context of what other major sports leagues are doing, and of the pandemic at large as it stands today. And with the help of global health expert and noted bioethicist, Dr. Zeke Emanuel, we try to answer the question: Was all of this a good idea?

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