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

Latest Episodes:

The NBA returns, complete with strip club drama - NBA Bubble Insider Jul 28, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina welcome NBA fans to opening week of the bubble restart. They discuss how stars like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic looked in early scrimmage play, and break down the audio and visual components of the NBA's new made-for-TV courts. From there, they dive into Lou Williams' Magic City misadventure. Did he threaten the bubble? Should we be thanking our lucky stars for Jack Harlow? Do Williams and the Clippers owe their fans and colleagues an apology? Then, the Open Floor Globe weighs in with questions. How close in proximity are the MLS and NBA bubbles? Are there any titles from past NBA history that deserve asterisks? Who won the Jay-Z versus Nas beef?

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

BONUS: Podding the Bubble - Part 2: Will the NBA Players Go Stir Crazy? Jul 28, 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 2 follows the lives of the NBA players inside the bubble who now face a unique challenge. How do they stave off restlessness and cabin fever for three months while living inside the bubble through the rest of the season and the playoffs? Not to mention, they still have to find a way to play their best basketball.

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

BONUS: Podding the Bubble - Part 1: A Deep Dive into the NBA Biosphere Jul 27, 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 1 explores how the NBA decided that a bubble was the right solution for them to be able to finish the 2019-2020 NBA season and conduct something resembling a normal playoffs and NBA finals. We'll also get into how the bubble is supposed to work on paper, both for players and basketball staff, as well as for Disney Parks employees, and for journalists.

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

LeBron James & Giannis Antetokounmpo meet the media at NBA bubble practices - NBA Bubble Insider Jul 23, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina celebrate as the NBA's Disney bubble opened practice sessions to the media. What was the best thing LeBron James said? How did Giannis Antetokounmpo's shot look? Are the Bucks about to spoil all the narratives and run to a "boring" title just like the Spurs of yore? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. What do the new playing courts look like? Should we rename the "Mt. Rushmore of the NBA" conversation? Will players want to keep their social justice message jerseys after this 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

NBA bubble tour & top informant suspects - NBA Bubble Insider Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina get into the NBA bubble talk with a quick tour from Ben of the media's access area after he finally cleared his week-long quarantine. Which Disney World areas and amenities are available to media and which are off limits? Which NBA players and figures has he seen so far? Do the NBA's rules regarding media access make sense? From there, Ben and Michael dig into everyone's favorite bubble topic: the informant tip line. Which players are most likely to rat out violators? What kind of crazy informant conspiracies has Tinfoil Hat Pina come up? Is Michael actually a secret agent? What would it take for Ben to call the line?

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

Latest from NBA bubble & playoff X-factors - NBA Bubble Insider Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open with the latest from the NBA bubble, where Ben has entered Day 5 of quarantine. How is Ben holding up? Is Michael starting to get worried? Are the NBA's safety protocols holding up as designed? From there, they shift gears to an extended conversation about playoff X-factors, discussing Mike Budenholzer, Kemba Walker, Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis and more. They close by launching Michael's new series of book recommendations, "The Pod Reads."

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

Reporting live from the NBA's Orlando bubble - NBA Bubble Insider Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina detail the launch of the NBA's Orlando bubble, with Ben reporting live from Disney World as he begins his seven-day hotel room quarantine. They talk through a variety of topics: how to pack for a three-month trip, how to dress for a bubble playoffs, how media members are able to interact with each other, and how the NBA's extensive coronavirus testing raises ethical questions given the state of testing around the country. From there, Ben and Michael name their NBA bubble soulmates, select their favorite player social media accounts to follow, and ponder how Rudy Gobert will be treated by the broadcast media when games return. They close by taking reader questions about the use of the term "stud" and on Stephen Jackson's unfortunate turn.

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

It's finally NBA bubble time! Plus, more worst decisions of the decade - NBA Bubble Insider Jul 10, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina announce that Ben will enter the NBA's Orlando quarantine bubble this weekend. Michael offers his travel tips and the two discuss health, food, exercise, and other quality of life concerns as a marathon hotel stay awaits. They check in on why the MLS had to send two teams home from its bubble and answer questions from the Open Floor Globe about how the next three months might unfold. From there, they double back to answer queries about topics from previous episodes, including the value of ring-chasing and which common phrases should be removed from the NBA pundit lexicon in light of the social justice protests. They close by running through listener nominations for worst NBA moves of the past decade, including the Paul George trade, the Grievis Vasquez trade, the entire Timberwolves franchise history, and Nerlens Noel betting on himself.

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 10 worst NBA decisions since "The Decision" by LeBron James Jul 07, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina commemorate the tenth anniversary of LeBron James's "The Decision" television special by running through the 10 worst NBA decisions of the past decade. Before they dig into the list, Ben and Michael recall where they were when they found out James had picked the Heat in 2010, whether Miami's four-year run was a success or a disappointment (or both), and why "The Decision" left such a major mark on the league. Then, it's time to dig deep on blown draft picks (Anthony Bennett), terrible trades (Jayson Tatum), insane free agent contracts (Ian Mahinmi), and much 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

NBA ramps up and top contenders push back on asterisk talk Jul 03, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina take stock of the NBA ramping up its return for the Orlando bubble. Top contenders like the Lakers, Clippers and Bucks met the media this week, seeking to pick up their title chases and push back against asterisk talk. Will the 2020 champs get an asterisk or a gold star? Is this, like Giannis Antetokounmpo said, the "toughest championship" of all time? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. Who is Steele Sidebottom and how will players be punished if they violate the terms of the bubble? How should we distinguish between the coronavirus and an injury? Did the pairing of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady in Toronto deserve more props? Why are the Jazz on opening night in Orlando? What should you do if a deer interrupts your free-throw shooting routine?

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