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

Latest Episodes:

Quarterly NBA awards, the ethics of a scoring rampage, Spurs’ faith dwindling? Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina reconvene after the long holiday weekend to hand out first-quarter NBA awards. LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo or James Harden for MVP? Is Luka Doncic both an MVP candidate and the MIP favorite? Who are Michael's off-the-radar picks for Most Improved and Sixth Man? From there, they shift gears to discuss the evolving ethics of stat-hunting in blowouts. Should Harden have chased Kobe Bryant's 81-point mark or did the Houston Rockets do the right thing by shutting him down? To close, Ben and Michael take emails from the Open Floor Globe on the dwindling prospects of the San Antonio Spurs and a snowy sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park.

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NBA schedule proposals, cheating the game, Harden's double teams Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

On today's show, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina vote up or down on the NBA's three major schedule proposals: reseeding the conference finals, adding a midseason tournament, and incorporating play-in games for the playoffs. From there, they dive into a wide-ranging debate about cheating in sports. Should honor be a bigger deal? What can be done to curb flopping and other acts that violate the spirit of the game? What crazy methods, like Deflate-Gate in football or sign-stealing in baseball, could prove to be successful strategies in the NBA? They close with a discussion of James Harden's double teams, an absolutely epic takedown comparing Vlade Divac to POTUS, and a bunch of emails explaining how various Open Floor Globe listeners partake in the show. Note: Open Floor will take off on Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday and resume next Tuesday with the usual schedule.

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LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the top 5 stories of the 2019-20 season so far Nov 22, 2019

Show notes

On today's show, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina run through the top five basketball stories of the 2019-20 season so far, highlighted by LeBron James's resurgence and Luka Doncic's emergence as an MVP candidate. From there, they take questions from the Open Floor Globe. How did Kawhi Leonard and Paul George look in their first game together? If the Warriors had the "Death Lineup," do the Clippers have the "Coma Lineup"? How good of a shooter does a 5'6", 220-pound listener need to be to make the NBA? Ben and Michael close by expanding their understanding of podcasting genres, adding "listening while cooking" and "listening while working on shooting mechanics."

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Celtics cruising, Sixers stumbling, Carmelo resurrected, Paul George shining Nov 19, 2019

Show notes

On today's episode, Ben Golliver welcomes his new co-host: Michael Pina, NBA writer for SB Nation. With Open Floor's bi-coastal balance restored, Ben and Michael dig into two teams at the top of the Eastern Conference: the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Are the Celtics as good as their record indicates? Does their hot start, coupled with Brooklyn's challenges, shine a new light on Kyrie Irving? How does Philly fix its offense? Are Al Horford and Joel Embiid a fit? Is the clock ticking on Ben Simmons again? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe on Carmelo Anthony's resurrection with the Blazers and Paul George's strong start for the Clippers.

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Knicks coaching crisis, Harden's place in the hierarchy, Shot quality vs. shot location Nov 15, 2019

Show notes

On today's podcast, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney discuss the dilapidated state of the Knicks. Is there any coach, or person, alive who could replace David Fizdale and find success? Why did the front office shift its expectations between July and November? Which of New York's young building blocks are keepers? From there, Ben and Rob debate James Harden's place in the NBA hierarchy and dissect Russell Westbrook's dismissal of Patrick Beverley. After discussing the relative importance of shot location and shot distribution, they close with a painful email from a British listener whose 2016 USA road trip was ruined by Klay Thompson. Note: This is Rob's last episode as co-host. Ben will welcome a new co-host on the next episode, which will be released on Tuesday.

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Siakam's soaring Raptors, Lillard's slumping Blazers, Rob Mahoney reflects on 7 years at SI Nov 12, 2019

Show notes

On today's show, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney open with extended comments on Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors. Where does Siakam rank right now? Is he actually Giannis-like? Does Toronto's player development program get enough credit? From there, Ben and Rob shift gears to discuss Damian Lillard's MVP start, the Blazers' roster problems, Ja Morant's Rookie of the Year chances and the fan's perspective on load management. To close, Rob reflects on his favorite stories and games as he prepares to leave Sports Illustrated after seven years.

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Giannis revenge mission, NBA statues, load management ethics Nov 08, 2019

Show notes

On today's show, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney go deep on the Milwaukee Bucks after their recent win over the Los Angeles Clippers. They engage in comical Giannis Antetokounmpo hyperbole on the following topis: his revenge mission, MVP defense, pre-game grunting, winning plays and leadership intangibles. From there, they tackle pressing questions from the Open Floor Globe on everything from NYC marathon attire to the utility of the phrase "two-way player." Ben and Rob also debate the many ethical issues surrounding the load management question and how teams should determine which stars to honor with statues outside their arenas. They close by checking the temperature on Mike D'Antoni's seat in Houston.

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Luka Luka Luka, Bucks check-in, sputtering Rockets Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney discuss the mounting hype around Luka Doncic following his weekend duel with LeBron James and his multiple triple-doubles. Should Dallas be viewed as a legit playoff threat? What's Luka's long-term ceiling? Would you undo/redo the Trae Young trade from either side? From there, Ben and Rob discuss NBPA executive director Michele Roberts' comments on China before taking questions from the Open Floor Globe on the Rockets' dynamic duo, the Bucks' uneven start and Kevin Love trade scenarios. They close by examining the conversation around Kyrie Irving's mental health and Rodney Hood's lack of flare.

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Steph Curry’s injury, Kawhi Stockton, Team Jo or Team KAT? Nov 01, 2019

Show notes

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney discuss the grisly repercussions of Stephen Curry's broken hand for the Golden State Warriors. Should Golden State tank? Does this increase the urgency to trade D'Angelo Russell or Draymond Green? From there, they take questions on Kawhi Leonard's newfound passing ability, the Minnesota Timberwolves' impressive start and the longstanding rivalry between Karl-Anthony Towns and Joel Embiid. Are you team KAT or Team JoJo? Is a rivalry with Embiid the best possible thing that could happen to Towns? They close by considering an old man take on the NBA's "Content Industrial Complex" and debating whether League Pass is worth the sticker price.

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Warriors' comeuppance, Trae Young's arrival, Suns' progress Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

On today's show, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney consider the Golden State Warriors' slow start. Do their early struggles require a reputation revision for Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr? Is there any hope for their putrid defense? Should they consider trading D'Angelo Russell or Draymond Green? Should they tank? Then, Ben and Rob shift gears to answer questions from the Open Floor Globe on Trae Young's All-Star chances, the Phoenix Suns' sudden competence, Dwight Howard's promising first week and Deandre Ayton's 25-game suspension.

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