Yahoo Sports NBA

Latest Episodes:

Did the Sacramento Kings get worse or did the West get better? | Devine Intervention Mar 19, 2024

Show notes

Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine is joined by Greg Wissinger from The Kings Herald to discuss the Sacramento Kings, who could be finding a new identity in the middle of a playoff race.

00:00 - Count me in!

03:05 - NBA Joy: Bench shenanigans!

05:30 - Sacramento Kings

16:30 - Domantas Sabonis

24:05 - Keegan Murray

27:55 - Keon Ellis

35:00 - Malik Monk

38:00 - Who do the Kings want to face in the NBA Playoffs?

40:45 - The Closing Five

48:50 - Weekly recommendations

On this episode of Devine Intervention, Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine is joined by Greg Wissinger from The Kings Herald to discuss the Sacramento Kings, who could be finding a new identity in the middle of a playoff race.

But first, when asked what is bringing him joy in the NBA, Greg takes some time to talk about shenanigans on the bench during NBA games.

Dan and Greg then go deep on the Sacramento Kings, including the national media narrative around Domantas Sabonis, the incredible value of Keon Ellis, the improving defense of Keegan Murray, and the contagious swagger of Malik Monk. After being the team that everyone wanted to play in the playoffs last year, who would they like to face this year?

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

A difficult playoff path for the Lakers & Warriors, Kyrie's game-winner and All-NBA talk | Good Word with Goodwill Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill talks about Kyrie Irving’s game-winner against the Nuggets, the playoff paths of the Lakers & Warriors, and explains why he has a problem with All-NBA this year.

00:00 - Introduction

00:55 - Kyrie Irving’s game-winner against the Nuggets

13:00 - The playoff paths of the Lakers & Warriors

22:35 - The problem with positionless All-NBA

40:20 - NBA Viewing Guide

On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is a little frustrated after watching how the Detroit Pistons lost to the Miami Heat and Producer John is over the moon after watching Kyrie Irving’s incredible game-winning shot to give the Dallas Mavericks a win over the Denver Nuggets.

Vinnie and John talk for a few minutes about what led to Irving’s game-winner, thoughts on it from around the NBA, and who the Dallas Mavericks would like to be matched up against in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Speaking of the playoffs, Vinnie is wondering if everyone is paying attention to the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. Sure, they play each other well, but these teams are at the bottom of the Western Conference for a reason and have a nearly impossible path to get back to the NBA Finals or even Western Conference Finals.

The rules for All-NBA voting are changing this year, as are the rules for All-Defense voting, and Vinnie is angry about it. He explains why he thinks the NBA has made the switch and why he thinks it’s a mistake before wondering if the league is going to take his vote away for complaining.

Finally, Vince and John tell you which games they have circled on the calendar this week. For John, it’s the Timberwolves (without KAT) trying to repeat some past success against the Nuggets. For Vinnie, he wants to see the final regular season game between the Bucks and Celtics, a potential Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

The Mavs keep winning, the Hawks find a new franchise player & Most Improved Player candidates | No Cap Room Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer and Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine talk about the streaky Dallas Mavericks, a new foundational player for the Atlanta Hawks and check in on the Most Improved Player race.

00:00 - Hello friends!

02:20 - Donovan Mitchell returns vs. Pelicans

04:15 - Magic give Mosley 4-year extension

07:50 - Otto Porter Jr. retires

11:10 - VIBE CHECK: Dallas Mavericks

28:50 - Most Improved Player candidates

32:55 - Tyrese Maxey

36:00 - Coby White

44:00 - Herb Jones

44:25 - Jalen Suggs

44:45 - Duncan Robinson

48:00 - Donte DiVincenzo

49:20 - Deni Avdija

49:35 - Jalen Johnson & the Atlanta Hawks

On this episode of No Cap Room, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer and Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine kick things off by talking about the Cleveland Cavaliers, who got Donovan Mitchell back last night and proceeded to beat up on a good New Orleans Pelicans team. Are the Cavs quietly the 2nd best team in the East?

The guys give a quick shoutout to Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley, who recently got a 4-year extension after turning this young roster into a fantastic defensive team. Dan argues that this is the most successful Magic season since Dwight Howard was on the roster, while Jake wonders if Mosley could win Coach of the Year this season.

After another shoutout to Otto Porter Jr., who retired after 11 NBA seasons, Jake and Dan do a vibe check for the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have been streaky lately, winning a bunch, and then losing a bunch, and now riding another 4-game winning streak. Dan explains that the key to their success is the defense, which might be turning a corner. Jake points out that Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington seem to finally be finding their roles in this Dallas offense, which could end up helping the defense.

With just a few more weeks left in the NBA regular season, the guys decided to check in on the Most Improved Player race, which is probably locked up for Tyrese Maxey. Dan admits to who he has voted for in the past, Jake roasts him for it while explaining his own philosophy for who should win MIP, and then they throw out some names of guys that could theoretically challenge Maxey for the away this year.

One of those names is Jalen Johnson, who has made such a leap this season for the Atlanta Hawks that they might just trade away Trae Young and rebuild the team around Johnson. Jake talked with Johnson, and some of his struggles to escape pre-draft rumors, and came away very impressed by the kid’s mentality and work ethic. Will we see him in the play-in game? And could his improvement lead to a shift in the Eastern Conference?

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Jokic vs. Giannis, Anthony Edwards making the leap, NBA scoring is down & SGA for MVP | Good Word with Goodwill Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by NBA analyst Tom Haberstroh to talk about what’s going on in the NBA.

The guys start with last night’s Timberwolves win over the Clippers, which saw Kawhi Leonard leave with back spasms and Anthony Edwards taking over the game afterwards. The Clippers still have a ton of talent, but Vinnie has some trust issues because of Kawhi.

The guys then turn their attention to scoring, which is way down across the NBA since the all-star break. Tom tells us how wild this drop in scoring is, historically, and what he thinks is the main cause of it (officiating) before he and Vinnie discuss which teams and players will benefit from it and which ones will be hurt.

Jokic vs. Giannis has been an ongoing conversation for the last week or so, as Vincent wonders which of these guys will end up being the best player of this generation (and maybe the best international player ever?). He discusses it with Tom, who takes a detour to explain why he would vote for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over both of them for NBA MVP if the season ended now.

Finally, we have some fun and let Vince and Tom pick their 5 favorite college basketball players that never made it in the NBA.

00:00 - Introduction

01:10 - Trust issues with the Clippers

05:40 - Anthony Edwards

15:05 - Why is scoring down in the NBA?

28:45 - Jokic vs. Giannis

38:40 - SGA for MVP?

43:20 - What’s the future for Clippers & Bucks?

45:33 - Top 5 college basketball players who never made it in the NBA

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Can Anthony Edwards carry the Timberwolves with Karl Anthony-Towns out? | Devine Intervention Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine is joined by Dane Moore from The Dane Moore NBA Podcast to talk all things Minnesota Timberwolves, including the transformation of Anthony Edwards’ role while Karl Anthony-Towns recovers from surgery.

00:00 - Count me in!

03:15 - Naz Reid

06:20 - Minnesota Timberwolves

12:50 - Karl Anthony-Town’s injury

14:45 - Anthony Edwards

26:10 - Jaden McDaniels

29:50 - Timberwolves vs. the refs

35:55 - Who do the Wolves want to face in the playoffs?

45:25 - The Closing Five

52:30 - Weekly recommendations

Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine is joined by Dane Moore from The Dane Moore NBA Podcast to talk all things Minnesota Timberwolves, including Naz Reid’s journey from undrafted prospect to starting-level player ready to fill in for Karl Anthony-Towns, who is recovering from knee surgery.

The player with the biggest additional burden on the run up to the playoffs, with KAT out, is actually Anthony Edwards. Dan talks about how Edwards’ role tends to change when KAT is out and Dane discusses what head coach Chris Finch would prefer to happen over the next few weeks without their starting power forward.

Jaden McDaniels, sometimes called a bellwether for the Timberwolves’ offense by the team’s head coach, is the weak spot that other teams can take advantage of. Dane discusses how the team could try different things to try and make him enough of an offensive threat that opposing defenses can no longer ignore him.

The guys also discuss Minnesota’s penchant for complaining about the officiating and which teams they match up with the best in the playoffs, with or without KAT, and which teams they probably want to avoid.

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Nick Wright on LeBron vs. MJ, the NBA's gambling problem & who is the best team in the East? | Good Word with Goodwill Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Nick Wright from FOX Sports for a discussion about LeBron vs. Michael Jordan, the NBA’s gambling problem and more.

00:00 - Welcome to the Good Word

00:50 - Are we done with the 90s? (MJ vs. LeBron)

22:10 - Is Scottie Pippen overrated or overlooked?

31:10 - Is gambling ruining the NBA?

39:20 - Are you optimistic about the Lakers?

47:40 - Who is the best team in the East?

On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Nick Wright from FS1’s First Things First show to talk about everyone going on in and around the NBA.

First, social media is going crazy with NBA fans claiming to be “done with the 90s”. That leads to a fun conversation between Nick and Vincent, which essentially turns into a the GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James, along with why Scottie Pippin is either overrated or overlooked.

Rudy Gobert was fined by the league for making a gesture and then claiming that the refs are affected by sports gambling. Nick tells his own tale of sports gambling and then explains why he thinks there will be a scandal involving officials in a major sport sometime soon.

Nick is a Lakers fan, so Vinnie asked him if he was worried about the Lakers likely being in the play-in this season. The guys agree that there is a big difference between being in the 7/8 seed against the 9/10 seed, and that the Lakers should do everything they can to avoid the Nuggets.

Finally, Nick says he’s going on TV to predict the Milwaukee Bucks will win the Eastern Conference this year. Vinnie also agrees that the Celtics have some serious flaws that make it hard to pick them despite all of their success. Can Jayson Tatum change their minds?

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

KAT's injured knee, LeBron's injured ankle, Pelicans vibe check & early trade deadline returns | No Cap Room Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

Jake Fischer and Dan Devine talk about the impact of Karl Anthony-Towns’ knee injury, LeBron James’ ankle injury, vibe check the New Orleans Pelicans and check in on some month-old trades.

00:00 - Hello friends!

01:25 - Karl Anthony-Towns knee injury

10:45 - LeBron James ankle injury

14:00 - Injuries for Evan Mobley, Ben Simmons & Russell Westbrook

22:45 - VIBE CHECK: New Orleans Pelicans

35:15 - Early returns on NBA Trade Deadline deals

35:50 - Phoenix Suns

39:20 - Indiana Pacers

44:30 - Philadelphia 76ers

49:45 - New York Knicks

55:45 - Oklahoma City Thunder

On this episode of No Cap Room, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer and Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine kick things off by talking about all of the impactful injury news that has broken over the last few days, starting with Karl Anthony-Towns’ torn meniscus.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were built a specific way, and that formula was working this year as KAT took a smaller role that fit the team best. Now, without him, the formula that makes the most sense for the Timberwolves will be difficult for them to pull off.

LeBron James left last night’s Lakers game with an ankle injury that he said he’s been dealing with since the all-star break. Jake and Dan discuss the wear and tear on LeBron’s body and how important he is for the Lakers’ offensive success.

The guys then speed through some minor injury news. Ben Simmons has been ruled out for the rest of the season, Evan Mobley is out for a while with an ankle injury, and Russell Westbrook is hoping to be back before the playoffs after having hand surgery.

Jake and Dan vibe check the red-hot New Orleans Pelicans, who seem to be finding their identity behind some of the best basketball that Zion Williamson has played in the NBA. They’ve also developed a handful of really great two-way players that can fit around Zion. Does anybody want to play the Pelicans in the playoffs?

Finally, the guys spend the time revisiting the trades that happened before the NBA Trade Deadline and talking about the returns after a month. The Suns and 76ers have found good fits, the Pacers are still trying to find consistency, and the Knicks can’t seem to get healthy. And when will Gordon Hayward find his role in OKC?

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Celtics show worrying signs in loss to Cavs, Bronny James’ path to the Lakers & NBA viewing guide | Good Word with Goodwill Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill was in Cleveland last night and has some thoughts on what happened to the Boston Celtics that led to a 23-point comeback win for the Cavaliers.

00:00 - Welcome to the Good Word

00:30 - What’s wrong with the Mavericks?

04:15 - Celtics implode in loss to Cavaliers

27:55 - Being fair to LeBron & Bronny James

37:00 - NBA viewing guide

On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Producer John to talk about what happened in the league last night and a lot more.

Producer John is a Dallas Mavericks fan, so Vinnie kicks off the podcast by discussing why the team keeps losing despite strong offensive efforts from both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

They then switch to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who overcame a 23-point 4th quarter deficit to end the Boston Celtics’ 11-game winning streak. Vinnie isn’t sure if this is more a credit to the Cavaliers or something that the Celtics should be worried about as we head towards the NBA Playoffs.

There’s plenty of rumors about Bronny James as a prospect and which NBA team, if any, would select him in the 2024 NBA Draft. Vinnie and Producer John talk about what makes that difficult and if there’s a path that lands both father and son on the Los Angeles Lakers next year.

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Can the Miami Heat get back to the Finals? | Devine Intervention Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine is joined by the host of Locked On Heat, Wes Goldberg, to try and figure out if the Heat are better or worse off than when they won the Eastern Conference last season.

00:00 - Count me in!

04:00 - Patrick Beverley & Bobby Portis

06:10 - Jalen Williams

10:10 - How good are the Miami Heat?

18:20 - Duncan Robinson

23:30 - Tyler Herro

33:05 - Can the Heat get back to the Finals?

36:45 - Playoff Jimmy Butler

37:50 - The Self-Scout

50:00 - The Closing Five

61:10 - Weekly recommendations

Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine is joined by the host of Locked On Heat and editor of AllUCanHeat.com, Wes Goldberg, to try and figure out if the Heat are better or worse off than when they won the Eastern Conference last season. But first…

Wes talks about the pairing of Patrick Beverley and Bobby Portia in Milwaukee being a source of joy for him, as two of the NBA’s best hype men teaming up is fun for everyone.

Dan talks a bit about Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who does a little bit of everything for them (including leading the team in 4th quarter scoring) and might not have an actual ceiling on his potential.

Then the guys get to the Heat. Wes explains why he thinks the team has gotten better since last year’s run through the playoffs, even though they missed out on trading for Damian Lillard this offseason.

The guys discuss Duncan Robinson, who went from out of the rotation to fighting for a starting spot by working on his game and rounding out his skillset. However, the more he improves as a dribbler and passer, the more opportunity he potentially takes away from Tyler Herro.

Herro’s name always comes up in trade talks, both for Lillard and for Kevin Durant, despite him being one of the Heat’s “big 3”. Dan and Wes talk about the good and the bad parts of Herro’s game and if his latest injury will once again knock him out of the playoff starting lineup.

Dan also complains about Jimmy Butler giving different answers to different reporters about the existence of “Playoff Jimmy” before Wes explains that Jimmy changes his mind a lot and that’s okay.

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

LeBron hits 40,000 points, Wembanyama's DPOY case & do we believe in the Heat & Warriors? | Good Word with Goodwill Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

Now that we've entered March, the NBA regular is entering its home stretch as the playoffs fast approach. Vincent Goodwill welcomes TNT's Jared Greenberg onto the podcast today to discuss three end-of-season awards races and where the playoff picture stands as of March 4th. Kicking off the show, the guys discuss how the Rookie of the Year race is shaping up between top contenders Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder. While Big Vic may be running away with the award in the latter half of the season, is there a case to be made that the French rookie should win Defensive Player of the Year too?

Elsewhere in the Western Conference, Vincent & Jared check-in on the floundering Phoenix Suns, who remain hovering towards the rear of the playoff standings and who have a few fatal flaws that may prevent Devin Booker & Kevin Durant from getting to the Finals together.

In Los Angeles this past weekend, Lakers forward LeBron James eclipsed the 40,000 point mark in his career, adding yet another ridiculous milestone to one of the great NBA careers of all time.

In the final third of the show, Vincent & Jared hash out the playoff chances for the Miami Heat & Golden State Warriors, discuss the unbeatable Boston Celtics, argue over Giannis vs. Jokic for MVP and wonder how Russell Westbrook's injury will affect the Los Angeles Clippers as they approach the playoffs:

2:00 - The rookie of the year race is over, should Wemby be DPOY too?

14:30 - Sun setting in Phoenix: Suns fatal flaw in building super team

27:10 - LeBron breaks another record and tries to re-write history more ways than one

40:00 - Are the Heat seriously going to repeat in the East this summer?

46:30 - Can the Warriors avoid the play-in tournament with recent surge?

48:30 - Are the Bucks mentally ready to compete with Boston?

56:00 - Are we ready to trust the Clippers this postseason?

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!