Learning Basketball – Ben Pfeifer – Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Draft Retrospective & Season Outlook + NBA Rapidfire - San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets

Timestamps:



0:00 Background & Introduction


1:29 Oklahoma City Thunder Draft Retrospective, Analyzing Sam Presti’s past draft selections to project future Thunder draft picks


17:40 NBA Rapidfire - OKC Season Expectations: Can Oklahoma City Thunder’s busy offseason propel them to championship heights?

20:57 NBA Rapidfire - Will the added shooting catapult the Orlando Magic up the standings this year?


25:39 NBA Rapidfire - Are the San Antonio Spurs just a league pass darling this year or will they make push for the West play-in? Thinking about VJ Edgecombe going downhill off a Wembanaya screen + Handoff


30:10 NBA Rapidfire - Will the New York Knicks’ moves push them past the Celtics?

33:40 NBA Rapidfire - How much will the Detroit Pistons learn about their key core pieces?


38:23 NBA Rapidfire - Season Outlook for Brooklyn Nets: Who’s going to be on this team after this year?

Ep. 8 Learning Basketball with Charlie Cummings


Player Development Writer for Swish Theory, Covers the Golden State Warriors for Warriors Invite, 
Pro and College Consulting for Next Up BBall

Timestamps:



2:45 Appreciating Player Development

7:25 Finding a Role with Swish Theory

11:35 Tre Mann’s Breakout with Charlotte Hornets

21:35 Draft Scouting Process, Valuing Role Context in Player Evaluations


43:03 What Klay Thompson Means to Golden State

58:20 A Pet Snake Named Zaza Pachulia

1:02:48 Buddy Hield’s Hot Start to the Season


1:14:05 Steph Curry’s 2024-25 Golden State Warriors Dominating


1:31:28 Breaking down an ATO BLOB for Buddy Hield to run baseline P&R

Learning Basketball Ep. 7 Mark Schindler – Paolo’s 50 Burger, The Rise of The WNBA, Defining Good Basketball Scouting Process & Effective Team Building Strategy, Appreciating Similarities between NBA & WNBA Hoops


Mark Schindler has been covering basketball for years, from general NBA thoughts with Premium Hoops to NBA Draft Scouting with Tag The Roll, now focused on the WNBA as the Creator of They’ve Got Now, a media outlet covering all things women’s basketball, WNBA draft, player development and scouting in the forms of a podcast, newsletter, and YouTube channel

Timeline:


3:00 Tips for people growing a basketball scouting analyst media brand online

9:50 What do you look for as an analyst with front office scouting in mind to write a story, break down a game, ask interview questions, scouting potential pros

34:42 Mark Schindler’s path from covering the NBA Draft to fully diving into the WNBA and appreciating similarities and differences between both basketball leagues

43:30 The WNBA’s rise and rapid growth in popularity, the development of Pick-and-Roll execution and defenses, effective team building strategy and parting thoughts on this most recent season in the W



54:47 Paolo Banchero’s unconscious 50pt BANGER, 37pt First Half ties T Mac for most points in a half, and how the Magic can survive without him for a few weeks

Antonio Dias, newly announced Scouting Associate with the Mexico City Capitanes of the G League and international scout with EHoopsScouting and IDprospects joins today to break down the playstyle and potential of four exciting NBA prospects: Nolan Traore, Dwayne Aristode, Igor Milicic, Hugo Gonzalez

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction of Newly Hired Scouting Associate with Mexico City Capitanes

4:45 Background and Scouting Philosophy as an International Basketball Scout

8:40 Scouting Report on Dwayne Aristode Committing to Arizona

14:50 Scouting Report on Nolan Traore, Potential Top-5 2025 NBA Draft Pick

23:33 Scouting Report on Hugo Gonzalez, Potential 2025 1st Round NBA Draft Pick

33:00 Scouting Report on Igor Milicic potentially developing from standstill to movement shooter at Tennessee

Learning Basketball with Mat Isa, NBA Writer with Forbes, OptaAnalyst, Fansided, Sportscasting and Podcast co-host of The Media Pass with @AlexHoops

Timestamps:


2:00 What goes into an NBA team’s Media Day?

3:28 Mat Isa’s career path and advice to people trying to break into basketball sports media

12:52 What inspires ideas for stories and questions for interviews with players and coaches around the basketball?

16:10 What goes into your scouting process as an analyst and NBA writer?

18:40 Going viral on Magic Twitter - is Paolo’s tough midrange shotmaking a sustainable scoring method in the playoffs?

27:40 NBA Rapidfire Denver Nuggets - Are the young players good enough to contribute to a contender?

32:49 NBA Rapidfire Portland Trailblazers - Who is vital to the young core? Which prospects are they building around?

39:24 NBA Rapidfire Golden State Warriors - Do the Warriors still have their fast ball?

43:34 NBA Rapidfire Miami Heat - How good is this team? Low playoff seeds with Deep playoff runs

Timestamps


0:18 Es Baraheni Introduction & Background

3:16 Happy Vinsanity Day from Learning Basketball! Celebrating Vince Carter's Hall of Fame Legacy and Impact on Basketball in Toronto

10:52 The Purple Raptors Jerseys are back! No more Orange Juice Magic jerseys, Nike

13:30 Scottie Barnes star ceiling as a downhill force point-forward, Success with Double Drag/77 Shadow Actions, Could Post-Ups be Barnes' next development focus?

19:09 Gradey Dick - more than a standstill shooter, a relocating motion shooter with gravity

22:37 Jakob Poeltl trade candidate or longterm playmaking hub piece in Toronto?

27:58 Toronto Raptors Season Expectations - Lottery Bound or Sneaking into the Play-in?

30:03 2025 NBA Draft Pick Targets who could fit well in Toronto

32:12 Most Important Role Player - Davion Mitchell? Ochai Agbaji? Chris Boucher? Bruce Brown? Jonathan Mogbo rookie expectations

35:10 Flex/Flow actions and other plays Darko likes to run

37:35 NBA Rapidfire - Washington Wizards, Most exciting prospect?

40:08 NBA Rapidfire - Charlotte Hornets, How dynamic can LaMelo and Miller be?

43:04 NBA Rapidfire - Utah Jazz, 2nd best player on the team?

0:17 Introduction and background of Mirin Fader, NYT best-selling author, one of the Best American Sports Writer, work with The Ringer and formerly Bleacher Report

2:30 - Humility & Versatility, how do you pick which athletes to write about?

4:15 Transitioning from playing experience in college hoops at Lewis & Clark college as a 5'0" PG to writing and reporting on basketball

5:00 Telling complete stories by reporting over 200+ interviews for two books (486 in total!)

6:58 Personal story of how Mirin's Giannis book saved my sanity in a highly stressful moment

9:45 How the Giannis book idea originated from an interview with his brother Alex

12:20 Giannis book summary: themes of family, hope, perseverance to fun stories like Stealing Westbrook's Scowls, "Yo Mama" jokes, and ice cubes

15:05 Hakeem Olajuwon's unique two-way impact and accomplishments on the court: A turnover forcing tough-shot hitting machine; only player ever to win MVP, DPOY, and the NBA Championship in the same season; still 1st All-Time Blocks and Top-10 Steals as a Center; A QUADRUPLE DOUBLE

17:05 The Artist on the court, What should Hakeem's legacy as a basketball player be?

18:45 Yommy "Basket" Sangodeyi, Nigerian Basketball Star and the original inspiration for The Dream Shake

20:10 How did the Range of experience between almost going pro in Handball and playing a multitude of other sports like Soccer as a kid develop Hakeem Olajuwon as an athlete and eventually a basketball player?

22:00 On the importance of Mentoring, Rapid Skill Acquisition and Coachability

23:55 Coach OBJ's impact building basketball community in Nigeria and coaching both Hakeem Olajuwon and Masai Ujiri

25:36 The impact of Islam on Hakeem's life, Founding The Islamic Da’Wag Center, and how returning to his religion of Islam helped anchor his life path in a time of feeling lost

27:37 Hakeem Dominating NBA games while Fasting during Ramadan and normalizing the religious practice in a time when many Americans didn't know much about it

30:50 Hakeem's Impact in Houston - Full Circle Moment from 3 straight Final Fours with Phi Slama Jama and playing with Clyde Drexler at University of Houston to winning an NBA Championship with Clyde Drexler a decade later

32:50 Always Learning, attending university in Jordan to learn Arabic after retiring from the NBA

33:30 What was Rudy Tomjanovich's impact on Hakeem as an innovator of the 4-out/1-in offense with modern concepts of 3pt spacing?

36:17 Remembering the All-Time talent of Hakeem Olajuwon, a 2x NBA Champ sweeping Shaq, beating Ewing, dominating Admiral, showing up Kareem; Olajuwon almost had no peers in the era of Centers

Learning Basketball with Steph Noh of Sporting News Lonzo Ball’s BACK

Chicago Bulls Season Preview

Scouting Process Watching Film

NBA Players Love Anime like Dragon Ball Z

Detailing Billy Donovan Sets: 5-out, Pistol, Chin, Elbow Splits

Timestamps:

2:00 NBA Players Love Anime like Dragon Ball Z

5:45 Process as an Analyst Scouting Film, Deciding Story Topics (Shoutout to Swish Theory’s depth)


7:35 Lonzo Ball’s Feel Never Fades even after 2 years of not playing, injury recovery, and his impact going forward

15:20 Can Chicago get stops? Bulls Uptempo Playstyle this upcoming season and evaluating defensive depth

20:55 Billy Donovan’s Sets like 5-Out, Pistol, Chin/Princeton, Elbow Splits

25:00 Gauging Coby White’s next steps and expected role after 2nd-place Most Improved Player season, improving as Pick-and-Roll creator


27:20 Zach Lavine’s underrated unique floating tough-shotmaking skills

28:14 Should Patrick Williams be prioritized in the Bulls’ rebuild?
31:50 Matas Buzelis Rookie Expectations and Potential and which young core prospects should Chicago be rebuilding around?

36:35 Remembering some guys: Chicago Bulls edition

Follow Steph Noh (@StephNoh) and his work at Sporting News
Follow the Host @BeyondTheRK on Twitter/Substack/YouTube and read Swish Theory at TheSwishTheory.com

Timestamps

2:40 - How to decide what topics to write about as a Scout/Analyst

7:40 - Advice for those trying to break into Basketball Sports Media and NBA Draft Scouting

19:35 Reflecting on the Player Development of Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren since Gonzaga. What else does Suggs have to do for the Magic to extend his contract? How soon can Chet become the Thunder’s 2nd best player? Which player would you rather build around?

55:00 Atlanta Hawks Season Preview – New team identity flanking Trae Young with lengthy defensive versatility; Drafting #1 Overall Pick Zacharrie Risacher; Trading Dejounte Murray for Dyson Daniels + two 1st round picks

1:11:00 Philadelphia 76ers Season Preview – Winning the Paul George Sweepstakes; Are Maxey and George the best costar talents that Joel Embiid’s ever had as teammates? Are the Sixers the favorites in the East? Who is the most important non-star player in Philadelphia this year?



1:32:00 Who won the Towns-Randle Trade? New York Knicks & Minnesota Timberwolves Season Preview – Will the Timberwolves be just as good swapping out Towns’ shooting for Randle’s creation? Does the Knicks’ star-studded two-way balanced lineup around Jalen Brunson give them as good of a shot as any team to win it all?

1:46:10 Milwaukee Bucks Season Preview – First full offseason with Damian Lillard & Giannis Antetokoumnpo. What version of Lillard will Milwaukee have this year? Do the Bucks have enough rotation player depth to win a title?

1:58:30 Phoenix Suns Season Preview – Starting the year with all three of Beal-Booker-Durant healthy. Drafting rookie wing defenders Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro. Hiring Head Coach Mike Budenholzer. The Suns can trade buckets with any team, but is Phoenix built to get stops when it matters most?


Check out Jackson Frank's NBA coverage with Sportscasting and follow him on Twitter! @jackfrank_jjf

Follow the Host @BeyondTheRK on Twitter/Substack/YouTube and read Swish Theory at TheSwishTheory.com

Brian Geisinger covers College Hoops, NBA Draft, and Charlotte Hornets with 247 Sports and Sports Channel 8

. He’s the cohost of the Buzz Beat pod and a color commentator for High Point University
. He’s worked as a scout with SIS_Hoops, a writer for ACCSports.com, and credentialed media for Duke Basketball

Timestamps: 



0:00 Introduction and Background

0:57 Calling Games as Color Commentator for High Point University


13:15 Seeing Cooper Flagg and Duke Stars like Zion and Paolo live in Person over the years


19:12 Scouting Cooper Flagg at Montverde and Duke


24:14 Duke-Kentucky, Scouting Potential 2025 NBA Lottery Picks Kon Kneuppel & Khaman Maluach + Comparing Big Wing to Movement Scorers Chemistry between Cooper Flagg and Kon Kneuppel at Duke to Flagg and Liam McNeeley at Montverde to Scottie Barnes and Gradey Dick on the Raptors

37:45 Duke-Kentucky - Scouting Sion James, Tyrese Proctor, Malik Brown, Caleb Foster


45:30 Film Breakdown: Duke’s 5-Out Beilein Sets

1:00:25 LaMelo Ball’s Resurgence as Charlotte Hornets Star & recapping Orlando Magic - Charlotte Hornets matchup, Hornets Season Expectations with Brandon Miller’s and Tre Mann’s Breakout

1:24:21 Film Breakdown: Hornets’ 5-Slot, 77 Double Drag, Ghost Double Exit ATO, Delay Pindown Elbow Zoom and the strategy of building out multiple plays from the same formation


1:53:30 Scouting Alabama’s LaBaron Philon

Ep. 24 with Eric Weiss @EricWeiss_SA

Director of Learning @ Luceo Sports

Former Draft & Development Consultant @ Sports Aptitude and Head of NBA Scouting @ Draft Express

Co-Creator of CrowdScout with William Huang, a new helpful tool for finding, sharing, and breaking down NBA Film clips


Timeline: 


0:00 Introduction & Background


1:00 Creating the Crowdscout App for NBA Film Editing and Sharing


5:00 Tracking Player Development after the Draft, the full pipeline from high school through their pro career, not just up to the draft, in the Finding a Role Series with Swish Theory

12:55 Lessons learned working at Draft Express with Jonathan Givony & Mike Schmitz


15:20 NBA Draft Scouting Process - what does Eric look for in player traits that will translate to the NBA level


29:00 Being able to evaluate different contexts for a player + Scouting Liam McNeeley’s different contexts between Montverde and UConn


32:30 Prioritizing good basketball players who impact the game in many ways over hoping for potential stars + Scouting Cooper Flagg being a scalable winning two-way player 


42:25 The Luka - Trae Trade and Scouting the 2018 NBA Draft with Jaren Jackson Jr.


52:00 Creating systems that score a lot of points because the system creates matchup advantages that are advantageous for a narrow skill set


53:00 “Positionless sports” - How other sports like football have also become positionless in the aspect of more players needing to be able to do more things and handle more roles than before: mobility, versatility, awareness, processing


1:02:45 Creating entire lineups of quick-processing 5-out two-way versatility, creating as many possible matchup advantages as possible like the Boston Celtics

Learning Basketball –  @AlexHoops  – OKC Thunder, Franz Wagner, Amen Thompson, Scottie Barnes

Alex of @AlexHoops on YouTube/Twitter is a cohost of The Media Pass podcast with Mat Issa

Timeline:



0:00 Introduction & Background

1:06 Creative Process Watching Film & Editing YouTube Videos
9:41 Michael Jordan vs. Jackie Moon


11:06 Media Pass Podcast with Mat Isa

15:40 Film Breakdown: Touch Miami, Double Drag, Horns, Ghost Screen – How OKC Thunder are making NBA Teams look clueless, Isaiah Hartenstein’s strong screening unlocking DHOs for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

34:58 Scottie Barnes Video Breakdown - Scottie Barnes is about to shock the NBA

48:50 Franz Wagner Video Breakdown - How Franz Wagner is making the Magic elite


1:05:32 Amen Thompson Video Breakdown - Are we sure Amen Thompson needs a jump shot


Ep. 14 of Learning Basketball with Krishna Narsu! Krishna Narsu is the inventor of the LEBRON impact metric with BBall Index, the default stat used in the popular NBA Trade Machine on Fanspo for projecting wins after fake trades. He contributes to Nylon Calculus and has formerly worked as an Analytics Consultant with the Dallas Mavericks.

Find his work at @KNarsu3 and @The_BBall_Index on Twitter

Timeline:
 0:00 Introduction & Background
 1:00 What goes into Developing an Impact Metric like Krishna's LEBRON stat?
 16:00 How do Film and Analytics go hand in hand when evaluating basketball? 
22:10 Karl-Anthony Towns Percentiles & Grades with clean fit with New York Knicks
 24:30 Franz vs. Paolo - The Magic Fan Dilemma - Why do so many impact stats rate Franz Wagner higher than Paolo Banchero? 43:21 How long will the Warriors continue to play such a deep 12-man rotation?

0.5 Decision-Making Advantage Creation with Flagler Basketball Coach Brandon Benson on his experience from Prep to D1, studying NBA Head Coach Concepts, and Coaching Moustapha Thiam and Savo Drezgic

Timestamps:


0:00 Introduction & Background, how Brandon got into coaching


13:50 Getting to work with different coaches with different experiences

21:50 Valuing hustle stats, winning plays, and fundamental skills that apply to every level - controlling what you control, accountability

32:35 “0.5 Decision Making” Mentality, dribble pass and shoot ideals, Princeton sets, off-ball movement, setting up advantage basketball more than scripted sets

47:25 Learning from NBA Coaching Concepts:

25 teams probably run similar sets like 5-out, Wide pindowns/screen aways, Spain P&R, staggers, traditional Horns



Coaches covered:

Quin Snyder Hawks - Blender system,

Kenny Atkinson Cavs - Advantage Basketball, 2 on the ball, force long closeouts

Joe Mazulla Celtics & Charles Lee (Hornets/Celtics) - true selfless 5-out, Delay/Wide/swing to trailer, Stagger/Pindown flow, moving 5 to the wing/taking rim-protector off the ball


JJ Redick Lakers - showing off modern sets, Decoys/False actions movement, advantage, might have taken Dan Hurley play on first play as head coach, move bigs to weak side corner force big in help, immediately handoff 


Steve Kerr Warriors - Split actions, steph+klay pin downs, Looney throwing post feed


Taylor Jenkins Grizzlies - hired development gurus Noah LaRoche, Joe Boylan, to help build modern offense


Mark Daigneault Thunder - drive at you all game long, Hartenstein with DHOs, ZOOM actions involving any combination of down screen into dribble hand off — okc is doing like a Triple Zoom between big men with multiple down screens and handoffs

Charles Lee Hornets (formerly Boston/Milwaukee) bringing that experience to try to implement culture with a winning pedigree

Ime Udoka Rockets - Horns 1-4 High, Iverson Curl

1:10:10 The value of having a veteran presence in an NBA locker room

1:12:35 Getting to know Projected NBA Draft Picks Moustapha Thiam and Savo Drezgic as people and players

1:27:38 Breaking down the Horns 1-4 High play that Ime Udoka and Coach Benson like to run to start games, one guy curls over top, one guy loops underneath, as soon as cutter cuts pass the face

Ahmed Jama (@SlipTheScreen) covers NBA Draft and Grassroots Basketball
, does NBA Scouting work with Next Up Basketball Consulting and Swish Theory, and is the 

Co-Host of The Draft Council Podcast with Dan Olinger.

Best NBA Draft Prospect Alive?

Scouting 2025 & 2026 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg, Cam Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Chris Cenac, Meleek Thomas, Acaden Lewis, Jamarion Batemon, King Grace, Shon Abaev, Nolan Traore, Braylon Mullins, Liam McNeely

His Swish Theory Piece "The Draft Shooting Heuristic" evaluating shooters from Shot Speed-Volume-Versatility to Room-Rhythm-Range

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Background

1:37 2024 NBA Draft Shooting Heuristic piece with Swish Theory - Developing a scouting evaluation process from Shot Speed-Volume-Versatility to Room-Rhythm-Range


8:32 Scouting Jamarion Batemon


9:01 Scoring Versatility to threaten defenses & two-way impact for long-term careers in the NBA


14:43 Scouting King Grace


16:04 Scouting Chris Cenac Jr.

24:00 Boozer Twins Commit to Duke - Scouting Cameron & Cayden Boozer

28:25 AJ Dybantsa & Darryn Peterson in the talks for #1 Pick in the 2026 NBA Draft

33:53 2026 NBA Draft may be deepest in years - Meleek Thomas (Arkansas / Overtime Elite) , Acaden Lewis (Kentucky), Davis Fogle (Gonzaga), Shon Abaev (Overtime Elite)


38:55 Who’s the Best Prospect alive not in the NBA right now? Spoiler Alert: still Cooper Flagg


45:08 Is Nolan Traore the Top 2025 NBA Draft Prospect after Flagg?


55:00 Most Underrated Draft Prospect in 2026? Braylon Mullins (UConn)


58:00 Scouting Liam McNeely (UConn / Montverde)

Learning Basketball with Maurya Kumpatla

Covers the Oklahoma City Thunder and NBA Draft

Writer for Swish Theory and an NBA Draft Writer on SI.com for Draft Digest

Studying Data Science at University of Tennessee Knoxville

Find him on Twitter at @TheFlareScreen

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Background

7:50 Amen Thompson’s impressive athleticism, instincts, and surprise skill acquisition as a rebounder

11:34 Nolan Traore’s rare ability to get low, attack gaps, comfortability shooting, tracking if his ability to drive and finish left improves

13:39 What surprise skill does Amen Thompson share with Angel Reese?

14:09 Isaiah Hartenstein’s offensive fit with OKC Thunder, full article on Swish Theory

22:55 Team Goals for Thunder signing Hartenstein: Win the non-Chet minutes, stagger 1 defensive anchor at all times, twin tower mismatch lineup versatility, more traditional big man matchup option, and improving an already elite defense, and more on his offensive fit as a dho passing hub, decision-maker, off-ball mover in paint, sweet floater touch

25:38 3 Concepts: Delay/Open series, 4.5 Out, 5 Slot - how Hartenstein will fit smoothly into OKC’s playsets and how it relates to Draymond’s Warriors halfcourt playmaking

37:03 2025 Thunder Season Predictions

Ep. 22 Learning Basketball with Ricky O’Donnell


Ricky O’Donnell is a writer, editor, associate director of programming at SB Nation



Ricky covers the NBA Draft, Grassroots Scouting, the NBA and the Chicago Bulls

Timestamps:


0:00 Background


2:15 NBA Christmas


10:15 Ricky’s Journey into Basketball Media & Creative Writing Process

14:05 Evaluating The NBA Draft Prospect Pipeline from Grassroots through College & NBA


24:05 Film Watching Process & Predicting Future Pros


31:27 Chicago Bulls Season Update + Trade Rumors


50:55 Jeremiah Fears 2025 NBA Draft Scouting (+ thoughts on Asa Newell, Derik Queen, Cooper Flagg)


1:05:05 Kasparas Jakucionis NBA Draft Scouting

Ep. 21 Learning Basketball with Stone Hansen

Stone Hansen covers the NBA draft and is a Co-host of the @upsideswings Podcast with Cooper Klein and Bryce Hendrick


Timestamps:


0:00 Introduction & Background


3:35 Shoutout Upside Swings podcast and The Cerebro Sports Team + Grassroots Database


6:45 Interviewing players for first hand perspective on basketball development

8:45 Scouting Noah Penda


14:34 Scouting Rutgers: Dylan Harper & Ace Bailey


27:55 Scouting Cooper Flagg

34:20 Scouting Khaman Maluach


39:35 Scouting Duke: Sion James, Tyrese Proctor

41:33 Scouting Collin Murray-Boyles

43:40 2024-25 Los Angeles Lakers Season, Impressions of Head Coach JJ Redick so far, Rui Hachimura’s two-way impact, Anthony Davis all-league offensive start, LeBron fully embracing the point-forward role, where will the Lakers go from here? Any trades to make to save the season? (Recorded before DLo for DFS trade)


59:00 Impressive Young NBA Players around the league like Jaylen Wells, Jake LaRavia, and Cason Wallace

Memphis Grizzlies "Wheel" Concept, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s Development, Ja Morant's Return, Impact Rookies, Noah LaRoche, Thomas Lisalo, "Iverson Follow" & "Horns Out Chase" Film Breakdowns with Adam Pike


Timestamps:


0:00 Introduction & Background


2:00 What’s new with the Grizzlies this season? Hand Tracking the Grizzlies offensive possessions by Freelance, Organized, and Freelance P&R


4:10 How do the Grizzlies Rank Top-5 in Offense yet Run the least amount of P&Rs and DHOs in the NBA?

6:30 The Wheel Concept - the entire lineup relocates in unison as the driver bends the defense/ball penetrates the paint
13:40 Jaren Jackson Jr. jumping from DPOY to #1 scoring option with Ja out


14:48 Offensive Style Frequency and Playtype Efficiency Breakdown

16:00 The Return of Ja Morant


17:48 Jaren’s New Role and Development

24:27 Film Breakdown: Iverson Follow Empty + Iverson Follow Step Up brought to Memphis by Thomas Lisalo, Assistant Coach

35:23 Noah LaRoche’s (Grizzlies Player Development Coach) impact on draft philosophy: Versatile 5-out positionless players who can attack closeouts and switch on defense

38:38 Film Breakdown: Horns Out (Stack Out) Chase


46:45 Will Rookies Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells contribute to the Grizzlies’ Playoff Rotation?

Ep. 19 Learning Basketball with Spencer Davies Host of Courtside with Cavs on SI Podcast NBA Writer with RG Media, Babcock Hoops, and Hoop Industry Covers the Cleveland Cavalilers and NBA at large

Timestamps


0:00 Introduction & Background

2:10 Writing Process


11:10 How to build a full time career in freelance basketball media

15:55 What to look for when watching film


24:20 How to think of good interview questions


29:30 Diving into this Cleveland Cavaliers season: What’s different this year?


37:38 Evan Mobley’s Star Ascension & grab-and-go playmaking skills, Donovan Mitchell leading the way, role players Ty Jerome, Caris Levert, Isaac Okoro stepping up as efficient outside shooters


41:17 Darius Garland’s scoring efficiency and Jarrett Allen the steady hand with experience playing for Kenny Atkinson


48:00 Can the Cavs’ hot start help them secure 3 All-Stars?
49:55 How will Max Strus fit into this machine after finally recovering from injury? Kenny Atkinson wants multiple ball handlers running the offense


54:45 Looking back at the Magic - Cavs 2024 NBA Playoffs Round 1 Series


1:04:50 Cavs season goals and thoughts about some other playoff teams - Boston, Milwaukee, Denver, Thunder, Magic

Joel Rush is an NBA writer with Forbes who covers the Denver Nuggets from Japan!

Hear about his background, process watching film, ideas for writing stories, and dive into this Denver Nuggets season

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction & Background

2:28 Writing Process


5:00 Michael Porter Jr.’s Playmaking Development

6:50 What’s going on with Jamal Murray?

12:50 How much will Denver miss KCP?


13:45 Is Nikola Jokić having the best single player start to an NBA season, ever?


17:40 Michael Porter Jr. becoming Denver’s 2nd scoring option

18:30 Russell Westbrook 2-man game connection with Jokic + Jokic assist combos


27:17 Denver Nuggets league standings, four factors and team rankings


30:00 Is Aaron Gordon the Nuggets’ best option at backup center? Valuing AG’s defensive versatility going back to Denver’s championship run
, Role players stepping up with KCP no longer in Denver


43:30 Appreciating Nikola Jokic’s insane tough shot making and the 2023 Nuggets title


44:55 Aaron Gordon’s development and changing roles from on-ball perimeter potential star in Orlando to off-ball secondary play-finisher in Denver


58:25 Joel makes Ryan pick which family member to choose with a gun to his head: Franz or Paolo

Evin Gualberto is a Basketball Coach at DeMatha who loves film study, as his YouTube channel will show you:

 http://youtube.com/evingualberto

Evin is a Freelance basketball writer, a pro video scout.


Evin is a Cohost of multiple podcasts: The Step Through WNBA Podcast with Sabreena Merchant; Bouncing Around with Samson Folk; Ready to Diagram with @bowser2bowser, who he helps define terms for at the Basketball Action Dictionary.

NBA Legend Traits + Film Breakdowns (Veer, Grenade, Skip)

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction & Background

10:05 What inspires videos on players or moves?


16:00 Victor Oladipo’s Magic Defense


19:50 Don’t Switch against Steph Curry


27:10 Carmelo Anthony’s Post Up Footwork


38:08 Tracy McGrady’s Triple Threat Footwork

46:20 Manu Ginobili P&R Maestro


55:27 Franz Wagner’s Gliding Footwork

1:09:20 Herb Jones Defensive Dynamo

1:15:10 What makes a play/action interesting enough to break down on film?


1:19:20 Breaking down the Action: 77 Spain Veer (77 is also known as Double Drag)


1:28:28 Breaking down the Action: 77 Post Split Stagger (+ Gaggle/Bilbao)


1:39:50 Breaking down the Action: Ram Ghost Skip (Skip Passes/Skip Concepts from JJ Redick, inspired by Dan Hurley)


1:49:50 Breaking down the Action: Delay Zoom Skip (Skip passes with Kenny Atkinson)

Ep. 16 of Learning Basketball with Prolific Prep Basketball Coach Mo Haroon!

Coaching AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Tyran Stokes, Niko Bundalo, Seven Spurlock, Winters Grady, Aiden Sherrell, Obinna Ekezie, Mikey Lewis, Zoom Diallo, Rajan Roberts, Derrion Reed at Prolific Prep with Mo Haroon

Projected Top-3 2026 NBA Draft Pick Darryn Peterson and Prolific Prep are fresh off beating fellow projected Top-3 picks AJ Dybantsa’s Utah Prep and Cameron Boozer’s Columbus


Dybantsa attended Prolific Prep last season, at the same time as projected #1 2027 Overall Pick Tyran Stokes

Timestamps:



0:00 Introduction


2:55 Background



9:40 Coaching and getting to know Obinna Ekezie Jr.



15:00 Getting to know AJ Dybantsa, Tyran Stokes, Mikey Lewis, Derrion Reed, Zoom Diallo, Aiden Sherrell up close as human beings and Prolific Prep’s pro pipeline (Jalen Green, Gary Trent, Josh Jackson)


18:20 Scouting Prolific Prep - Montverde matchups in 2024, the first time ESPN aired a matchup between 3 projected #1 Picks: ft. AJ Dybantsa, Tyran Stokes, Cooper Flagg, Aiden Sherrell, Mikey Lewis, Winters Grady, Zoom Diallo (Swish Theory Written Scouting Report

LINK: https://theswishtheory.com/analysis/amateur-basketball/2024/04/scouting-the-2024-hoophall-classic-title-game-montverde-academy-invitational-tournament/


21:50 Scouting, Coaching, & getting to know Winters Grady at NBPA Top-100 Camp and marquee matchups last two seasons

LINK: https://theswishtheory.com/analysis/amateur-basketball/2024/07/2024-nbpa-top-100-scouting-report-notes-film-quotes-and-data-visualizations-on-70-standout-players/

25:58 Scouting Darryn Peterson’s Claim for the Throne as 2026 #1 Overall Pick Upsetting Cam Boozer’s #1 Ranked High School team Columbus

LINK: https://theswishtheory.com/analysis/amateur-basketball/2024/11/darryn-peterson-makes-his-claim-for-the-throne/

31:15 Scouting & Coaching Seven Spurlock

34:29 Scouting & Coaching Niko Bundalo

38:05 Scouting & Coaching Rajan Roberts

41:09 Getting to know AJ Dybantsa off the court + Scouting AJ & Darryn Peterson in marquee matchup between Prolific Prep vs. Utah Prep


47:55 AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and the incredibly talented 2026 NBA Draft loaded with start potential throughout the lottery

49:14 Scouting Darryn Peterson, the “Up-and-Thunder” driving jams



54:49 Who will wind up the #1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft between Darryn, Dybantsa, and Boozer?


57:00 Early impressions of Mazi Mosley, Magic Johnson’s nephew, after his transfer from Montverde to Prolific

Jordan Allen is the Founder at Rising Stars Scouting and Creator of the Rising Stars Substack covering under the radar prospects and g-league players



Basketball Insider and Advisor at Basketball Intelligence


Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction & Background, Rising Stars Scouting & Substack

3:28 Jordan's Scouting Process


6:55 Meleek Thomas Commits to Arkansas + NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report


14:11 Kiyan Anthony Commits to Syracuse + NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report


19:10 Chris Cenac Jr. NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report + Recruitment Talks


26:25 Kingston Flemings Commits to Houston + NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report, imagining Flemings + Cenac playing together at Houston


30:16 Deron Rippey Jr. NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report


33:05 Acaden Lewis Commits to Kentucky + NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report


37:50 Dwayne Aristode Commits to Arizona + Shon Abaev Recruitment Talks + NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report


39:55 NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report Standouts + Commitments: 


King Grace makes two-way winning plays + commits to Mississippi State, 


Malachi Moreno commits to Kentucky,


Nykolas Lewis Commits to Xavier, 


Zymicah Wilkins Commits to NC State, 


Winters Grady commits to Michigan, 


Jaylen Petty impressive two-way feel + commits to New Mexico,


Davis Fogle shows great motor + commits to Gonzaga,


Kaden Magwood walking bucket commits to Auburn,


Tyler Jackson natural point guard impresses (considering Maryland, Syracuse, Auburn), 


Marcus Jackson’s popping athleticism but decommits from Maryland, could he end up at Charleston?

Dante Allen two-way impact transferring to Montverde


46:50 Darryn Peterson’s claim for the throne leading to Utah Prep’s upset over Boozer Twins’ #1 Columbus team


51:20 Full NBPA Top-100 Camp Scouting Report on theswishtheory.com , Shoutout to other standouts Tounde Yessoufou, Jamarion Batemon, Jacob Wilkins, Mike Williams, Brayden Burries, Jerry Easter, Tajh Ariza, + Trent MacLean Commits to West Virginia



54:00 Jason Crowe NBPA Top-100 Camp Scouting Report + Recruitment Update (Crowe to USC?)

57:05 Scouting AJ Dybantsa vs Nate Ament Matchup + Recruiting Update (Ament to Duke? Dybantsa to BYU?)


1:09:05 Scouting Alijah Arenas + Recruitment Talks: Is Arenas The Best Player in High School Basketball? (Arenas to Arizona?) (Reclassifies to 2026 NBA Draft)

1:15:10 Scouts need to sign Landyn Colyer (SFA Academy) under the radar Tall Guard 3pt sniper with two-way feel


1:22:15 Jordan's Under The Radar Prospects who need more attention: Gene Roebuck, Isaiah Rogers, Kamden McGilveary, Hunter Caplan & Bradyn Alward

Ep. 25 Learning Basketball with Brian McCormick (from Poland!) Victor Wembanyama The Generational Prospect, Fake Fundamentals, Developing Playmakers at Every Position, Basketball Book Author Writing Process

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction & Background & Coaching Philosophy

20:20 Communication Skills when Players might not understand

26:30 Fake Fundamentals - disproving basketball concepts & phrases that may not be always true

39:15 Playmakers 3v3 League - Every player at every position should develop Playmaking skills

1:04:10 The Evolution of 180 Shooter Concept - Creating better shots for players' development as shooters can improve production as much as changing technique, Shooting in groups so every player gets reps no matter the position

1:17:24 Generational Prospects: Was Victor Wembanyama The Greatest Basketball Prospect Ever?


Ep. 26 with Zach Welch


Zach Welch is a Basketball Scout & Analyst with Pro Insight



We draft our Top-10 “Scoring Creators” at the NBPA Top-100 Camp, targeting the most consistent offensive engine prospects.

We also provide our Scouting thoughts on Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis as a potential Top-5 2025 NBA Draft Pick, along with detailing Zach’s Scouting Process for Evaluating Potential Future Pros




Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction & Basketball Background


5:07 Zach’s Scouting Process Watching Film, In Person, Evaluating Future Pros


11:30 Scouting Kasparas Jakučionis

19:35 Defining a “Scoring Creator” Offensive Engine, a primary initiator with decision making feel who runs the offense and has the ability to score but is looking for the best decision for the team every play (h/t Evan Zaucha on processing feel)


23:04 The 2024 NBPA Top-100 Scoring Creator Draft - Targeting Offensive Engines from the Camp + shoutout to Chris Cenac Jr. and Davis Fogle off the top


24:30 #1 Pick - Brayden Burries


27:30 #2 Pick - Meleek Thomas


33:32 #3 Pick - Kingston Flemings


36:35 #4 Pick - Acaden Lewis


41:07 #5 Pick - Jaylen Petty


46:35 #6 Pick - Deron Rippey Jr.


52:42 #7 Pick - Dante Allen


58:13 #8 Pick - Shon Abaev

1:03:29 #9 Pick - Davion Hannah


1:06:48 #10 Pick - Kaden Magwood


1:12:38 Shoutout to the next best available offensive engines a the NBPA Top-100 Camp:



Kiyan Anthony

Darius Adams


Derek Dixon


Nyk Lewis


Jordan Smith Jr.

Cameron Ward

Caleb Holt

Eric Chatfield

Jalen Reece

Courtland Muldrew


Jerry Easter


Tyler Jackson

Shoutout to the Camp’s top Scoring Creator Prospects:

Brayden Burries
 Meleek Thomas
 Kingston Flemings
 Acaden Lewis
 Jaylen Petty
 Deron Rippey Jr.
 Dante Allen
 Shon Abaev Davion Hannah
 Kaden Magwood
 Chris Cenac 
Davis Fogle Kiyan Anthony Darius Adams
 Derek Dixon
 Nyk Lewis
 Jordan Smith Jr. Cameron Ward Caleb Holt Eric Chatfield Jalen Reece Courtland Muldrew 
Jerry Easter 
Tyler Jackson


Ep. 27 with Lucas Kaplan

Lucas is an NBA Writer with Nets Daily and Swish Theory, formerly at SIS_Hoops


He covers the Brooklyn Nets, the NY Liberty, and the NBA Draft



He Cohosts The Backcourt Podcast with Sarah Kustok

Today we learn about the difference-making strengths of the WNBA Champion NY Liberty, Scoot Henderson's coming out party 39pt Career-High game and development, ask and answer the question "What are the Brooklyn Nets doing?", and ponder the Best Landing Spots for the Duke and Rutgers NBA Draft prospects projected to be selected in the 1st Round.

Timestamps


0:00 Introduction & Background


5:35 Celebrating the WNBA Champion NY Liberty

24:36 Sabrina Ionescu Combo Guard skills as a Scoring Creator


37:30 Scoot Henderson’s Coming Out Party

50:45 What are the Brooklyn Nets doing?


1:05:51 NBA Draft Preview from Brooklyn Nets Perspective & Favorite Landing Spots for Kasparas + Duke & Rutgers Prospects Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, Kon Knueppel

Ep. 28 with Matt Powers

Matt covers the NBA/WNBA draft, is an Editor/Co-Founder of Swish Theory, and formerly was a contributor at The Stepien



Today we learn about The Modern Wave of Skilled Bigs entering the NBA, Scouting Zach Edey and Matt’s #1 prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft, Scouting Cooper Flagg as our #1 prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft, debate Asa Newell vs Derik Queen as a top lottery pick, discuss Thomas Sorber impressions after Matt saw him live, and finish with a 2025 Big Man Only NBA Draft where we pick our favorite big prospects this cycle

Timestamps


0:00 Introduction, Background, Scouting Process
5:36 The Modern Wave of Skilled Bigs


13:27 Zach Edey #1 on Matt Powers’ 2024 Big Board, what’s Edey’s ceiling and floor as an NBA Player?

31:55 Cooper Flagg Scouting Report and #1 on our 2025 Big Board
52:14 Asa Newell vs Derik Queen


1:11:05 Thomas Sorber Scouting Impressions - Matt seeing live at MSG against St Johns + Ryan seeing his tape vs UConn


1:16:07 The 2025 Big Man Only NBA Draft

Derik Queen

Asa Newell


Collin Murray-Boyles

Khaman Maluach

Thomas Sorber

Johni Broome

Noah Penda

Danny Wolf

Eric Dixon

Ep. 29 with Dante Marchitelli

Dante Marchitelli is an Orlando Magic Host and Sideline Reporter for Bally sports
 and is a Host of Magic Insiders on 969 The Game and The Pod Squad with the Orlando Magic

Today we dive down Orlando Magic history: Dante's journey into Basketball Media, lessons learned working with David Steele and Jeff Turner calling Magic games, Magic player personalities off the court like Hedo Turkoglu, honor Pat Williams' legacy, the process of current front office led by Jeff Weltman, the authentic energy of head coach Jamahl Mosley, the value of Goga Bitadze, the team's heart and soul in Jalen Suggs, and the leaps made this year of Orlando's big wing stars Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero

Timestamps

0:00 Introduction & Background


7:00 Difference in goals between sideline reporting, play-by-play, and studio show and lessons learned from working with David Steele & Jeff Turner
, the popularity of Is This Anything? the best recurring bit in basketball host media

15:20 Origin of The Thanksgiving Postgame Turkey Leg, kudos to Paul Kennedy

18:20 Which Magic Players’ Personalities shined off the court?
21:39 Hedo Turkoglu, Glue Guy of the 2009 Finals Magic team, and Stan Van Gundy’s Magic pioneering modern spacing around Dwight Howard & Shoutout to Magic Players like Dwight Howard, Paolo Banchero, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope giving back to the community

27:27 Honoring Pat Williams Legacy as the Orlando Magic’s Pied Piper

33:27 The Process of Orlando Magic front office Jeff Weltman, John Hammond, Anthony Parker targeting team-first people who bring two-way impact in their roster building


39:24 Head Coach Jamahl Mosley’s authenticity, impact, energy, communication style, and the impact he brings to the team’s culture: The Magic Standard


46:45 Goga Bitadze’s defense, screening, value and growth with this team


54:48 Jalen Suggs point guard development and impact: “The Heart and Soul. The lifeblood of this team.”


1:00:00 Franz Wagner & Paolo Banchero’s leaps to All-Star impact and All-NBA moments and Orlando Magic season expectations the rest of the way once everyone’s available


Ep. 37 with Tyler Wilson

(@ProspectingNBA)

Tyler Wilson covers the San Antonio Spurs and NBA Draft at his Prospecting Leads newsletter on Substack and as a writer and host of the Finishing Touch podcast with Swish Theory

Today we learn about the hidden value in the De'Aaron Fox Trade to San Antonio to play with Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul as the Spurs hold on to all the young prospects, take a quick guide into the grassroots scene of amateur high school basketball to outline some major events of where to catch the best young talent rising throughout the game and highlight potential 2025 NBA Draft fits.

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Background

0:58 San Antonio Trades for De’Aaron Fox, Spurs building around Victor Wembanyama on a rookie Deal, the mentorship of Chris Paul and how Wemby’s shooting gravity could reinvigorate Fox’s drive-and-kick force

30:57 A Beginner’s Guide to Amateur Basketball on Swish Theory – where to find grassroots stages, film, stats on rising high school talent

37:53 2025 NBA Draft Fits - San Antonio Spurs

LINK to Swish Theory guide

Ep. 36 with Sasha Stefanovic @StefanovicSasha

Today we learn basketball with Sasha Stefanovic. Sasha played college basketball at Purdue, has pro experience overseas and is now back at Purdue on the sideline as the Director of Player Personnel.Purdue's Sasha Stefanovic on March Madness stories, playing with Zach Edey, Jaden Ivey, Carsen Edwards, film/scouting process shifting roles alongside Coach Matt Painter, Braden Smith's pro potential

Timeline:
0:00 Introduction & Background
1:05 Growing up in the state of Indiana Basketball
2:26 Early Days at Purdue & Playing with Carsen Edwards
4:47 The Roller Coaster of College Hoops and March Madness
8:10 Differences in Process Watching Film and Scouting Opponents as a Player vs Coach/Scout
10:50 Lessons playing with and coaching with Purdue Head Coach, Matt Painter
14:10 Playing with Jaden Ivey & Zach Edey, who they were like as people off the court and players on the court
20:27 Seeing Zach Edey’s incredible motor, mindset, and development up close from when Sasha started playing with him to later coaching him and addressing his draft prospect concerns about mobility and shooting
28:21 Sasha’s experience playing professional basketball from Greece to Serbia to Summer League with San Antonio Spurs

30:37 Scouting Braden Smith as an NBA Draft Prospect and this dominant season in the Big-10, with notes from Purdue’s big win over Michigan

Ep. 35 with Charlie Cummings (@klaytheist11)

Charlie Cummings covers the Golden State Warriors, the Denver Nuggets, and NBA player development for@SwishTheory and@WarriorsInvite and is a pro/college consultant for@NextUp_BBall.

Today we learn about how long Jimmy Butler can extend the championship window for Steph & Draymond, and break down the Cavaliers win-now move for De'Andre Hunter + the Heat loading up with Wiggins and Depth for another NBA Playoff run– with Charlie Cummings

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction & Background
0:52 NBA Trade Deadline Drama 

2:18 Jimmy, Steph and Draymond
34:00 Miami Heat trading for Wiggins, Davion, Slomo
41:27 Detroit Pistons adding players and picks fo free, Raptors acquiring talent and an expensive cap sheet
1:11:21 Cleveland Cavaliers make win now move for De’Andre Hunter

Ep. 34 Learning Basketball with Tim "Cranjis McBasketball" (@Tim_NBA)

Tim is the Founder of BBall Index, a co-host of Lakers Exceptionalism podcast, and an NBA Team & Agent Consultant

Today, we learning about different ways JJ Redick can maximize this new look Lakers offense with Luka and LeBron, from theory to breaking down the X's and O's, and outlines expectations for the rest of this season. Tim shares advice on hosting a podcast, his journey to starting basketball analytics website, working with teams and agents behind the scenes, creating public work for media and fans to use, and the value of using film + analytics.

Timeline:

0:00 Introduction & Background

4:30 Advice to Hosting a Basketball Podcast like Tim’s Lakers Exceptionalism Podcast with Tom Zayas

8:50 Journey to starting BBall Index, a website with basketball analytic tools for teams, players, agents, media, fans

18:42 Lakers Land Luka! How could JJ Redick’s new offense look with Luka in mind? Breaking down Ram/Spain set with an Exit screen, an example play that could maximize the strengths of Luka and Lebron, then weighing Championship Expectations for the Lakers the rest of This Season

34:40 Process Using Film & Analytics as tools for Scouting & Understanding Basketball

40:58 Logging NBA Games & Scouting Players/Prospects: What are you looking for on the film? What are you keeping track of?

Ep. 33 with Nathan King

Nathan King is an Auburn beat reporter with 247 Sports and Hosts the Auburn Undercover Podcast.

Today we learn about Auburn’s NBA Draft prospects Johni Broome, Tahaad Pettiford, Chad Baker-Mazara, Miles Kelly, hear about what it was like in the arena for College Gameday’s marquee matchup of the weekend between #1 Auburn vs. #6 Tennessee, and outline what Johni Broome might have to accomplish to overtake Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NCAAB National Player of the Year race. We also address what’s going on with the Orlando Magic’s recent slide despite their stars returning.

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction, Background, & Reminiscing over the FSU - Auburn 2013 National Championship at the Rose Bowl
3:30 #1 Auburn vs. #6 Tennessee NCAAB matchup
7:45 Johni Broome’s off-ball impact in this game, his National Player Of the Year race with Cooper Flagg, and his profile as a potential NBA Draft Pick
27:10 Chad Baker-Mazara’s and Miles Kelly’s outlook as potential NBA Draft prospects
35:00 Scouting Tahaad Pettiford - Will he rise into the 1st round of the 2025 NBA Draft, be selected in the 2nd, or stay another year at Auburn?

49:45 Orlando Magic slide - What will it take to right the ship? The importance of the energy of Goga Bitadze and Jalen Suggs

Ep. 32 with Nick Andre

Nick Andre hosts Podcasts from "For The Love of The Game" to "Best W Show" to "Bleave in FSU" and works with ChopChat.com and Fansided covering NBA, WNBA, Men's and Women's NCAA basketball, with a focus on FSU Hoops

Today we learn about Taniya Latson leading the country in scoring, dominating the game at the levels of Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins, and we dive into which NBA teams can challenge Boston as real contenders for an NBA championship

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:58 Appreciating Taniya Latson leading the country in scoring, dominating the college ranks of women’s hoops, and the impressive talent entering the WNBA soon like Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins
9:27 Appreciating Juju Watkins smooth scoring, handles, and incredible two-way instincts
14:17 Appreciating Paige Bueckers insane shooting and playmaking feel
24:40 Which NBA Contenders can challenge Boston for the throne?

Ep. 31 with Corban Ford

Corban Ford covers the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA, and the NBA Draft with Swish Theory, The Pro16 League, The Lead, and Basketball Intelligence. Corban is the Podcast Host of Roundball Ramble and Roster Reconstruction.

Today we learn about the most shocking trade in NBA history: Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, reacting and rationalizing how a trade like this could happen and the ripple effects for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks. Then we dive into scouting thoughts on Ace Bailey and Boogie Fland in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Timestamps:

0:00 Luka to the Lakers?! AD to the Mavs?! WHY?!
54:00 Defining NBA Draft Scouting Process + Scouting 2025 NBA Draft Prospects Ace Bailey and Boogie Fland

Ep. 30 Learning Basketball with Mirin Fader 



Mirin Fader is a New York Times Best-Selling author of "Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA Champion" and just published her new book "Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon”



Mirin is a sports writer with The Ringer, formerly of Bleacher Report and the Orange County Register.



Today, we learn about Mirin's writing process with the challenges in a good lead that hooks the reader before diving into her NYT Best-Selling book "Giannis", focusing on the motivations that led Giannis to development, legendary work ethic, and greatness.

Timestamps




0:00 Introduction & Background


2:20 Book Author Lifestyle & Challenge of Writing Opening Hook Leads


4:48 Feeling and Process of adding the storybook ending of Giannis winning the championship as an Epilogue to a book already on its way to New York Times Best-Seller

6:57 The 2015 Inaugural NBA Africa game where Hakeem & Mutumbo play with rising international players like Giannis & How Hakeem paved the way for the world as Basketball’s first international superstar


9:27 Giannis’ inspirations of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony to facing them as peers


14:00 What Family means to Giannis as a motivational factor in his life and work ethic


17:45 Development in Greece and Important People who helped the Antetokoumnpo family along the way, from Coach Spiros Velliniatis finding and convincing Giannis and brothers to try basketball with the Filathlitikos team, teammate Rahman Rana being like a brother, to Tzikas the owner of the Kivotos Cafe making a small yet giant gesture of providing an apple or fruit smoothie to the brothers every time they walked to practice


20:18 Other motivational factors for the Rise of Giannis - how nourishment could have made him a higher draft pick to scout, the fear of loss coming from nothing, playing emotionless, what defined his drive and work ethic

Ep. 65 Learning Basketball with Will Rucker! @Will_Rucker3_AD

Will Rucker is a sports analyst, journalist, coach, and media personality. He is a writer and content contributor for Liberty Ballers who covers the Philadelphia 76ers, NBA, and NBA Draft.

Today we learn about Tre Johnson’s shooting versatility, and weigh all of Philadelphia’s options with the #3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction & Background

03:20 Tre Johnson’s Versatile Shooting Profile, Tight Handle, Promising Playmaking Reads

23:00 What will the Philadelphia 76ers do with the #3 Overall Pick? Derik Queen, Kon Knueppel, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, Asa Newell, Kasparas Jakacuionis, Collin Murray-Boyles, Noa Essengue, Carter Bryant

Ep. 64 Learning Basketball with Brandon Benson

Brandon Benson is a basketball coach at Flagler with experience at different levels including Northwestern and DME Academy.

Today we learn about the NBA Conference Finals, dive into the film for both matchups, see how the Thunder score at ease with crafty P&R creators, how the Knicks create a semblance of space for Jalen Brunson to operate, and how the Pacers create advantages in Double Drag sets and pushing the pace off everything - turnovers, missed shots, and made baskets

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

1:00 Haliburton's Statement Game 4 + ECF Analysis: Pacers vs. Knicks

20:00 Indiana Pacers Film Breakdown - Pitch Aheads

30:00 Indiana Pacers Film Breakdown - Flow Offense

40:00 Indiana Pacers Film Breakdown - Double Drag

1:02:00 New York Knicks Film Breakdown - Jalen Brunson Playmaking vs Pressure

01:22:20 WCF Analysis: OKC Thunder vs. MIN Timberwolves

01:30:00 OKC Thunder Film Breakdown - Middle Ball Screen / Ghost

01:52:00 Adjustments, Strategies, Predictions

Ep. 55 Learning Basketball with Robert Flom! @RichHomieFlom

Robert Flom is the managing editor for 213 Hoops, covering the NBA, the Clippers, and formerly of Clips Nation, Blazers Edge, and The BBall Index.

Today we learn about the Los Angeles Clippers stabilizing the team into a steady contender, Kawhi Leonard resembling his peak form when available, James Harden providing a steady hand running the offense, Ivica Zubac making a leap as this team's most reliable two-way anchor and playmaking hub in the paint, Kris Dunn's lockdown perimeter defense, the effect of Ty Lue running the show and bringing in Jeff Van Gundy on the bench, as we dive into the first round playoff matchups between Clippers-Nuggets and Magic-Celtics

Timeline:

0:00 Introduction & Background

8:00 Kawhi Explodes - How often can he do this?

13:30 All-Defense level impact -  Ivica Zubac & Kris Dunn

22:00 All-NBA level impact - Ivica Zubac & James Harden - who to credit

25:00 Daring Russell Westbrook to Beat Them - Denver’s X-Factor sparked Game 1 win for Nuggets in Clippers Series

30:00 Aaron Gordon guarding Kawhi Leonard matchup + Michael Porter Jr.’s Rebounding dominance/getting picked on defensively

37:00 Norman Powell replacing Paul George on the aggregate, Ty Lue COY candidacy, impact of Jeff Van Gundy as Asst Coach

55:00 Magic-Celtics GM 2 Live Reactions… Paolo! Franz! What does this team need besides shooting? (Talent)

Ep. 54 Learning Basketball with Joe Viray @JoeVirayNBA

Joe is an NBA writer who covers the Golden State Warriors for Golden State of Mind and @TheDubNationHQ and the General NBA for @SBNationNBA

Today we learn about the Warriors dominant play since the Jimmy Butler Trade, Steph Curry's wow-factor never dying, Draymond Green being the best defender alive, the inverted Jimmy-Steph P&R, and a film breakdown on Rockets-Warriors GM 1 with predictions, counters, and x-factors for the series.

Timeline

0:00 Introduction & Background4:00 Film Scouting Process10:00 Basketball Media Advice18:00 The Jimmy Butler Trade’s Impact on Golden State26:00 The Inverted Jimmy-Steph P&R into Blind Corner Handoff for Steph39:30 Is Draymond DPOY or The Best Defender Alive?46:40 Rockets - Warriors Game 1 Film Breakdown, Counters, X factors + How many times did Steph wow you?1:20:00 Do the Warriors now view this year as championship or bust? 

Ep. 53 Learning Basketball with David Steele!

David Steele is the play-by-play voice of the Orlando Magic's broadcasting team, now in his 36th year with the team between radio and tv.

Today we learn about Dwight Howard's Hall of Fame Career, stories about those Stan Van Gundy teams, David Steele's Top-5 calls and journey into sports broadcasting, and celebrate the legacies of Paul Porter, Pat Williams, John Gabriel

Timeline:

00:00 The Voice of the Magic: David Steele's Journey

10:08 The Legacy of Pat Williams, John Gabriel, and Paul Porter 17:30 David Steele’s Top-5 Calls

24:15 Dwight Howard: First-Ballot Hall of Famer & Stan Van Gundy Team Stories

34:00 Magic Beat Hawks in Play-In, to face Boston in First Round

Ep. 52 Learning Basketball with Thom! @ThomNotTom

Today we learn about Detroit Basketball with Thom (0:00)

His scouting process through the lens of a Pistons fan (5:00), Scouting Thoughts on Ace Bailey and the talented bigs in the 2025 NBA Draft (10:00) , we have The Danny Wolf Conversation (18:00) the University of Michigan program under Head Coach Dusty May (36:30), The Danny Wolf Passing Mixtape Evidence (40:44), naming Yaxel Lendeborg to First Team All-Name (49:46)

then the NBA Playoffs (54:20) highlighting the Detroit Pistons' differences this season and chance's this postseason against their highly competitive Central Division Competition between the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls

plus interesting NBA Award debates like Coach of the Year (1:14:00) and Most Improved Player (1:32:15)

Ep. 51 Learning Basketball with CT Fazio @CTFazio24

CT Fazio is a Head Basketball Coach at SLG and in AAU and a contributor for Crown Hoops who covers the NBA, the NBA Draft, College Hoops, and Denver Nuggets.

Today we learn about Carmelo Anthony's legendary basketball career, why the Denver Nuggets would part ways with Head Coach Michael Malone just two years after winning a championship along with GM Calvin Booth just a week before the playoffs, St John's revamped program with Rick Pitino plus NBA Draft Scouting thoughts on RJ Luis, and then we draft the coolest versions of Melo.

Timeline:

0:00 Introduction & Background

6:22 Denver Nuggets Fire Everybody - Head Coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth let go one week before Playoffs

23:50 St. John's Rick Pitino Rebrand & Scouting RJ Luis

36:43 Celebrating Carmelo Anthony's Legendary First-Ballot Hall of Fame Career

1:00:00 The Coolest Melo Draft

Ep. 50 Learning Basketball with Scott Perry @ScottPerryGM

Scott Perry is the host of the Hoop Genius Podcast with decades of front office experience spanning from GM of the New York Knicks to Assistant GM and VP of Basketball Operations with the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings, and Seattle Supersonics.

Today we learn about Scott’s journey into basketball scouting from college player and coach to NBA front offices, lessons he’s learned to form his evaluation process, and dive into the inner workings of how front offices make decisions, build an identity, and ideally create a sustainable contender over the long haul.

Timestamps:00:00 Introduction & Background and Unexpected Opportunities in Basketball

08:50 Lessons from Dad, Lowell Perry, Breaking Barriers in NFL

14:05 Building a Successful Team Identity with Joe Dumars and John Hammond

20:47 The Importance of Character in Player Evaluation, who players are as people matters just as much as talent

24:18 Drafting Kevin Durant and Victor Oladipo with 2nd overall picks in Seattle and Orlando, respectively

32:27 How Front Offices Make Decisions + Vertical Integration Communication from GM to Coach to Player

37:35 Lesser Known Realities of Front Office Life

42:11 Advice to aspiring Scouts and Favorite Memories as New York Knicks GM
46:42 Influence of different perspectives like Sam Presti, Rob Hennigan, Matt Lloyd helping develop scouting process

Ep. 49 Learning Basketball with Roshan Potluri @PickAndRo

Roshan works in Scouting and Analytics with Los Capitanes, the G League team in Mexico City, is the Founder of Pistons Fleet, and covers the NBA Draft for Swish Theory


Today we learn about Closeout Creation, Draft Philosophy, and Draft the Best Wings in the 2025 NBA Draft

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction & Background

06:24 Experience Working with Mexico City Los Capitanes: Insights from the G League

10:26 Closeout Creation: The Fulcrum of NBA Offenses

25:15 Draft Philosophy: Evaluating NBA Draft Prospects

41:14 The 2025 Wings Only NBA Draft: Top-5 


Cooper Flagg


Asa Newell


Collin Murray-Boyles

Ace Bailey

Noa Essengue


01:06:07 The 2025 Wings Only NBA Draft: 6-8


Miles Byrd


Daily Swain

Liam McNeeley

01:19:47 The 2025 Wings Only NBA Draft: 9-14


Noah Penda

Carter Bryant


Kon Kneuppel


Adou Theiro

JT Toppin

Will Riley

Ep. 48 Learning Basketball with Dan Devine @yourmanDevine

Dan Devine covers the NBA for Yahoo and formerly at The Ringer. Dan cohosts The Big Number pod with Tom Haberstroh

Today we learn about Dan's journey into basketball media, advice to those chasing a similar path, voter fatigue affecting Giannis in MVP races, Jamal Murray finally looking like Jamal Murray of old, Six NBA Teams with a nonzero chance of making the Finals, appreciating styles making fights in basketball and the obvious comp of candy vs vegetables when watching basketball.

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction & Background

1:13 Dan Devine Journey & Advice on Basketball Media

41:54 Jamal Murray’s BACK

53:50 Giannis chasing MVP ghosts

1:13:15 The Six Teams with a Puncher's Chance to make NBA Finals

Ep. 47 Learning Basketball with Josh Robbins! @JoshuaBRobbins

Josh Robbins covers the Washington Wizards for The Athletic and is co-host of The Athletic's Bullet Points podcast. He covered the Orlando Magic for the Orlando Sentinel across decades.

Today we learn about what it was like covering the Dwight Howard-Stan Van Gundy Orlando Magic teams up close, The Changing Landscape of Sports Media Advice & Traditional Journalism, Good Reporting Process Leads to Writing Better Stories, the 2025 Orlando Magic direction after Jalen Suggs injury, Jeff Weltman’s Patient Decision-Making Process and reports of other teams coveting Anthony Black, and a Washington Wizards Franchise Outlook after Trade Deadline Acquisitions for Veterans Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart

Timeline:
00:00 Introduction & Background
4:00 Sports Media Advice & Real Journalism
17:00 Reporting Process Writing Stories

31:20 Where do The Magic go from here without Jalen Suggs?

37:17 Jeff Weltman’s Patient Decision-Making and teams coveting Anthony Black 

49:48 Josh Robbins’ favorite memories covering the Orlando Magic, Stories on Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy 

1:09:30 Washington Wizards Franchise Outlook after Trade Deadline Acquisitions for Veterans Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart

Ep. 46 Learning Basketball with Tristan Pharis @TristanUda

Tristan Pharis does Sports Media and Photo Journalism as an editor for A Sea of Blue and the Founder of Kentucky Insider

Today we learn about the Kentucky Basketball program under first-year head coach Mark Pope, Otega Oweh and other prospects NBA Draft chances, season expectations in a tough SEC

Timeline


00:00 Introduction & Background on Sports Photo Journalism, Sports Media Advice

7:30 Mark Pope building the new culture replacing a legend like John Calipari – who keeps the “always draft a Kentucky guard” saying in the divorce?

16:55 Overcoming Defensive Worries for a Tournament Run

20:00 Otega Oweh’s Career Performance vs Oklahoma - 18 stragiht points, game-winning shot, game-saving block

25:44 Building Out Next Year's Roster with 3 4-star recruits: Acaden Lewis, Malachi Moreno, Jasper Johnson

31:26 Next steps for key rotation players Amari Williams, Jaxon Robinson, Lamont Butler
, Koby Brea

35:18 Getting to know the players, coach, team personalities off the court


38:14 Mark Pope’s high A/TO style of play and recruitment style in the type of person he looks to recruit


40:00 What’s the easier path this year for Kentucky: Winning the SEC Tournament or *Making the Final Four in March Madness?

Ep. 63 Learning Basketball with Ricky O'Donnell @SBN_Ricky

Ricky covers NBA Scouting and the NBA Draft with SB Nation. Today we learn what each of us would do if we were acting GM of every NBA team with a first round pick this year.

Timeline
00:00 Introduction to the NBA Draft

02:30 NBA Draft Combine Insights

9:00 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Top-5 Picks31:00 2025 NBA Mock Draft: 6th-17th picks1:00:00 2025 NBA Mock Draft Speed Round: 18th-30th picks

Results

1 Cooper Flagg2 Dylan Harper 

3 Kon Knueppel
4 Khaman Maluach
5 VJ Edgecombe
6 Danny Wolf
7 Collin Murray Boyles
8 Tre Johnson
9 Noa Essengue
10 Ace Bailey
11 Jase Richardson
12 Derik Queen
13 Carter Bryant
14 Asa Newell
15 Noah Penda
16 Tahaad Pettiford17 Kasparas Jakucionis18 Jeremiah Fears19 Adou Theiro20 Miles Byrd21 Thomas Sorber22 Libaron Philon23 Ryan Kalkbrenner24 Nique Clifford25 Nolan Traore26 Ben Saraf

27 Rasheer Fleming28 Walter Clayton29 Cedric Coward30 Liam McNeeley