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

Latest Episodes:

NBA's lost narratives, our favorite seasons, MJ's return Mar 20, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina cope with the coronavirus crisis by running through some of this season's biggest lost narratives. What's next for the Bucks, Nets and Rockets? How will the suspended schedule impact Giannis Antetokounmpo's "supermax" decision? Would Kevin Durant consider a return to the delayed postseason? Is Daryl Morey off the hook for his Hong Kong tweet? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe about the favorite NBA seasons of their childhoods and their memories of Michael Jordan's return from baseball. They show some love to U.S. health care workers and close by discussing their NBA doppelgangers.

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The coronavirus & the NBA schedule, airing old grievances Mar 17, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina discuss the coronavirus and its ongoing impacts on the NBA schedule. Players have been sent home and the NBA is on hiatus for at least two months. Can a postseason be salvaged? Should a postseason be salvaged? An Open Floor Globe member from Denmark sounds the alarm about what's coming for the USA, while another from France correctly suggests that this crisis is an opportunity in disguise. From there, Ben and Michael circle back to take questions on heated debates from past shows. If LeBron James supposedly isn't as famous as we think, why is he so well-known in an underground gold mine in the Australian outback? Should an Orlando Magic fan seek revenge after his girlfriend cheated on him during the Slam Dunk Contest? Should we add an oddities wing to our plans for making a statue garden at the Hall of Legends?

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NBA suspends season due to coronavirus Mar 12, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina discuss the NBA's decision to indefinitely suspend the 2019-20 season after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and guard Donovan Mitchell tested positive for the coronavirus. Did the NBA make the right decision and should they have made it earlier? Will we see any more games this season? If not, which playoff storylines will we miss the most? How should fans treat Gobert? What can you and your family do to stay safe?

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LeBron's Lakers enjoy a big weekend, Coronavirus gets real Mar 10, 2020

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Ben Golliver and Michael Pina look back at LeBron James's big weekend, as the Los Angeles Lakers enjoyed signature victories over the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers. Did LeBron vault into the MVP conversation? Are the Lakers now the title favorites? Will Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury damage his MVP chances, and should it alter Milwaukee's approach to the rest of the season? From there, Ben and Michael discuss the NBA's ongoing response to the Coronavirus, including the anticipated closing of locker rooms to media members. They wrap up the episode by dissecting Kenny Atkinson's departure as Brooklyn Nets coach, running through possible replacement candidates, and announcing that a Zion-themed hymn has become the show's new theme song.

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Stephen Curry's next chapter, Does NBA need commentating shake-up? Mar 06, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina welcome Stephen Curry back to the court with an extended discussion about the Golden State Warriors guard's legacy and next chapter. Will Curry win another title and/or MVP? Where will the Warriors finish in the West standings next year? How much elite basketball does he have left in the tank, and which factors are working for and against him? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. They respond to accusations of LeBron-induced myopia, discuss the state of NBA television commentating in the wake of Daryl Morey's critiques, and weigh a possible Joel Embiid to the Nets trade scenario.

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Giannis vs. Harden escalates, KD considers Tokyo, Peak Westbrook Mar 03, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open by dissecting the escalating tension between James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Does Harden have a point? Is he guilty of hypocrisy? What constitutes "skill" in basketball? Then, they pivot to a quick discussion about Kevin Durant's possible interest in representing Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. From there, they break down the Rockets' overtime victory over the Celtics. How does Boston build into a title team? What makes Russell Westbrook so dangerous in Houston's new five-out approach? Are the Clippers prepared to spoil the Rockets' rise? Ben and Michael close with follow-up questions about their Hall of Legends and Statue Garden ideas, including snub nominees and a "Statuability" ranking.

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LeBron vs. Zion, Giannis vs. 70, Road jersey etiquette Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open with an extended discussion of LeBron James' first game against Zion Williamson. Was LeBron trying to prove a point? How did Zion hold up? Was there some chilliness to their post-game comments, and is a rivalry budding? From there, Ben and Michael dig deep into Milwaukee's historic season. Will Mike Budenholzer screw this up or does he take unfair criticism? Should the Bucks chase 70 wins? How should they handle Giannis Antetokounmpo's minutes in the playoffs? The episode closes with questions from the Open Floor Globe. Which players need a change of scenery this summer? If Zion got kidnapped, who should the kidnappers call first to ensure the biggest ransom? How did Michael manage to be kind and insightful on a Suns podcast? And, finally, should a Heat fan buy and wear a Sixers jersey when he goes to a game in Philadelphia during a work trip?

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MJ honors Kobe, Tatum erupts, Simmons' back woes Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina offer a line-by-line breakdown of Michael Jordan's incredibly moving tribute for Kobe Bryant. Why did MJ's speech resonate with so many people? Why should it be viewed as the ultimate validation for Kobe's career? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. Should there be a more exclusive "Hall of Legends" that complements the Hall of Fame but only honors players with lasting impacts? If so, who should be in and who should be out? Then, the discussion shifts to the Celtics and Sixers. What does Jayson Tatum's recent hot stretch say about his long-term ceiling? Should Ben Simmons shut it down for the season due to his back problems?

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Kyrie Irving's season ends, All-Star Weekend fixes Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina discuss the fallout surrounding Kyrie Irving's season-ending shoulder surgery. What's next for the Brooklyn Nets? Does the concept of a "Gap year" really exist? Would the Nets undo their 2019 summer if they could? From there, Ben and Michael pivot to suggestions from the Open Floor Globe on how to fix All-Star Weekend. Should the dunk contest add sensors or change its scoring system? Should the Three-Point Contest be turned into a giant game of 21? Should the All-Star Game's Elam ending add protections so that it doesn't finish on a free throw? Finally, they address whether Giannis Antetokounmpo's late-game weaknesses on offense cost Team Giannis the All-Star Game victory.

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All-Star Weekend winners and losers Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina convene for a late-night All-Star Weekend recap. Ben and Michael run through the winners and losers of the midseason showcase in Chicago, praising the NBA's new All-Star Game format and the many standouts from Sunday's game (Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Rudy Gobert). They chide Joel Embiid and Kemba Walker for their late-game missteps, before shifting gears to dive deeply into a Slam Dunk Contest breakdown and a pity party for Aaron Gordon. Just how badly did the judges blow it? What's the fix for next year? Then, Ben offers some behind-the-scenes gushing on Zion Williamson and names his Mt. Rushmore of All-Star Weekend figures. Along the way, Ben and Michael discuss the brewing rivalry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden, and praise the All-Star Saturday victories for Bam Adebayo and Buddy Hield.

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