While the rest of the league has been working on bulking up and getting in shape, Media Day has us in our feelings thanks to Jimmy Butler's new look. Damian Lillard to Milwaukee, Jrue Holiday to Boston, everyone but Tyler Herro to Portland... It was a busy weekend. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic clocks back in to work. The voice of Basketball Illuminati himself Pablo Torre is here to share how he found out about the inciting phrase from Jordan Poole that elicited the infamous Draymond Green punch. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dwyane Wade has started a campaign to tell every other superstar player that they were the reason he called and asked LeBron to take his talents to South Beach. The Warriors finally solved their depth issues... By bringing in renowned bleeping tough guy Rodney McGruder instead of Juan Toscano Anderson? Finally, limited fake Tim Bontemps Did His Own Research, surveying league insiders about who's gonna win the title, while Amin has some inconvenient insight into that investigation. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the doldrums of the summer, we turn back the clock in an interview with the legendary heckler Robin Ficker, although he objects to that term. Way back on January 25th, in our 'Stan Spittin' episode, we discussed the legacy of the Washington Bullets fan who stood toe to toe with Michael Jordan from his seat behind the visitor's bench. Now the 80 year old Maryland resident joins us on the podcast to share his therapeutic methods, the one player that was immune to his efforts and how David Stern targeted him personally. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LeBron James has changed his number from 6 to 23 out of respect for Bill Russell in the midst of un-retiring out of respect for Michael Jordan. Joel 'Troel' Embiid had some curious comments at the Uninterrupted Film Festival, is he possibly in an empire state of mind? Victor Wembenyama is deflating his height from 7'5" to 7'3", and he's not the only athlete to do so. You won't want to Skip this segment. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ballsack Sports has evolved to another level, tricking players into believing their own fake stats. Tom contextualizes Victor Wembenyama's Summer League performance by doing his own research on other star debuts. Jeff Teague has become a storytelling podcaster and Gilbert Arenas put Zion Williamson on the spot about his weight. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Free Agency is underway, complete with a splash of Trade Demands to keep things interesting. Read these reports with a cautious third eye, Illumination, in order to parse the true machinations at play. Does your favorite news breaker have a rewards program depending on how many miles their sources accrue? We break down all the loyalty tiers. A new Amateur NBA Analyst also threw his hat into the ring. Is it a ghost of free agency past, or a new bloke from across the pond? Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Victor Wembenyama has a direct line to the Universe thanks to a wide open third eye. Brandon Miller is a Hornet after some buzz moved the betting lines, and Fat Joe really wants us to know he likes Dick from Kansas. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports returns as Truth Teller to give us the inside track on the upcoming free agent frenzy, teams afraid of the second apron and Dame scenarios. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last Friday's news dump going into the weekend included a 25 game suspension for Ja Morant and the finalized sale of the Charlotte Hornets. The Bartelstein family celebrated Father's Day in a very public way this year as Bradley Beal was traded to Phoenix, while a shadow GM is taking the Suns in a different direction. Brandon Payne of Accelerate Basketball returns to the program to give us the scoop on Scoot Henderson's training and workout with Steph Curry before this year's draft. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ja and Zion, the crown jewels of the 2019 draft, have been attracting attention off the court for all the wrong reasons. Is that draft cursed? What about 2nd overall picks? Denver has climbed to the mountaintop due to Nikola Jokic's workmanlike effort, as the Heat sink back to sea level and a summer of Damian Lillard rumors. Tom did his own research on Wake Forest journeyman and folk hero Ish Smith, using this Nuggets championship as an opportunity to leave no stone unturned. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyrie Irving is hitting the recruiting trail, trying to lure LeBron to join him and Luka in Dallas, but if you've had your third eye open for a while, you already knew that. Amin continues to search for the mythical Jokic brothers and the Illumination Loves the adjustments the Heat have made so far in this series. Finally, take a trip to Research Town, where Tom digs into Erik Spoelstra's comments about Nikola Jokic, hoping to train your eyes to see Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Finals are here, the Heat made history that the Celtics fell just short of, and there's a mysterious blackout at the new LeBatard Show HQ. Is it all connected? Bob Myers tenure in Golden State has come to an end, albeit a month earlier than anticipated. What's next for the championship architect, and who will fill the void in his absence? Finally, a Truth Teller emerges to share with us how he exposed NBA official Eric Lewis' burner account CuttliffBlair to the masses. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A script for this year's NBA playoffs got leaked onto the internet... Or was that all simply part of the script? Victor Wembenyama is headed to San Antonio, just as the Illuminarmy Generals predicted, as we take you through the eurosteps that led Wemby to the Spurs. Tom did his own research on Jimmy Butler's flagrant disregard for technical fouls, while Rudy Gobert has returned from the darkness. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An intrepid Twitter researcher @OtownNBA compiled a list of players that have racked up the most 'Bang!' calls by Mike Breen in the last decade. As the Damian Lillard saga drags on towards training camp, the Illuminati look back at the greatest September trades in history, including an NBA Finals loser bringing in a star that propelled them to a title. Then Tom Did His Own Research on which cities in the NBA had the highest and lowest participation rate by star players, meaning how likely they are to play when they come to town. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Warriors and 76ers have entered the offseason in spectacular fashion, as James Harden and Doc Rivers add to their legacies of losing. Doc got fired for his troubles, along with seven other coaches this season, and not only do we know the replacement, but Amin has an Inconvenient Truth about the association Tim 'Banned' MacMahon joins the program with his signature theme song to discuss Ja Morant's habitual line stepping in our Truth Tellers segment. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a corgi out there predicting that the Warriors will come back from a 3-1 deficit against the Lakers, and the Illuminati are worried about containing it's burgeoning third eye abilities. Mat Ishbia, the steward of the community asset that is the Phoenix Suns, found himself in a controversial spotlight after an encounter with Nikola Jokic on Sunday. After some peculiar comments by Jalen Rose and Mike Greenberg regarding Miami's climate, Tom does his own research into the teams with the best and worst playoff home court advantage. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to pat ourselves on the back for predicting that Knicks-Heat VI would take center stage on ABC during the second round. The Illuminati explore the history of trading everything but the kitchen sink for a star player and determine who is responsible for this trendy trade technique. Tom did his own research on one of every seed, 1 through 8, advancing in the playoffs, something that has never happened before. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One day after we shed light on the Tony Brothers / Spencer Dinwiddie situation, they shared the court in Brooklyn for a game full of ejections. This year's first round of the playoffs has provided us with a litany of surprising series, and the Illuminarmy Generals reveal which is the rarest of them all. Amin has found the solution to the NBA's ratings woes, D'Angelo Russel has a special drink, and Tom did his own research on Joel Embiid's falling habits. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I don't know if you heard, but Draymond Green is back at it again with the flailing limbs. The Athletic has a new player poll with some rather interesting results for best and worst fans, most underrated player and most importantly greatest player of all time (that includes one vote for Tracy McGrady). Then Tom finally gets back to doing what he does best: his own research! And he brings in wonderful statistician Sam Cook to sift through the randomness. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We tried to tell you last week about the Mavericks tanking and Gobert's angst, but it was so obvious that we didn't know how deep the Rudy rabbit hole was going to go. The Illumination has no intent to injure Rudy in a week where he is suspended while hurt. MVP Tracker Max Croes joins the program to explain how he scours the media for data to connect the dots on who people are voting for in the major NBA Awards categories. So if you want to keep your third eye firmly shut, definitely don't check out our Truth Teller this week and wait to find out who won MVP next month like everyone else. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rudy Gobert is starting to get really frustrated, and we get it. It's so obvious that Minnesota is not getting the respect they deserve. Less than two months after acquiring Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks are on the brink of shutting it down for the season to preserve their top ten protected 2023 draft pick. Truth Teller Keith Smith of Spotrac joins the program to help us parse the new Collective Bargaining Agreement details that have been announced and identify the unintended consequences of the major changes to the league. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bradley Beal got into an altercation with an angry gambler and Tom has to clarify his aggregated statements from last week in regards to Ben Taylor. Everyone is being cryptic about the alleged 'LeBron James of Feet', so the Illuminarmy deploys their expert codebreakers to find the identity of this mystery doctor. Investment fraud attorney Chase Carlson joins the program as a Truth Teller to discuss the prevalence of fraudulent financial advisors and strategies to help address this rampant issue in professional sports. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mario Chalmers is back making waves in the news by telling everyone not to be afraid of the Big Bad Bron, and certain politician has his back. Michael Jordan is engaged in serious talks to sell his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets. What does this mean for their chances in the Wembanyama lottery? Chris Herring of Sports Illustrated joins the program to navigate the thorny waters of the Ja Morant situation, especially in regards to players advantageously invoking mental health in serious matters in our Truth Tellers series. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NBA officially announced a partnership with Hawk-Eye Innovations, but citizens of the Illumination knew this was coming months ago. Ja Morant and Andrew Wiggins are superstars without a timetable to return, a nebulous designation that keeps us guessing, while Kyrie Irving has exited the lineup and resurfaced on Twitch. Truth Teller Don Vaden of Third Side Coaching rejoins the program to help us understand the referee perspective on the altercation at the end of Kings-Bucks and Fred VanVleet's comments about Ben Taylor. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The day after Novak Djokovic celebrated his 24th title and honored Kobe Bryant with a Mamba Forever shirt, Aaron Rodgers tore his achilles wearing the number 8. What is going on in NY? The league's competition committee is incorporating a new fine system to govern star player rest, however there are a plethora of exceptions, which we are calling the NBA Acceptable Rest Protocol. Team USA came up short of the bronze medal against Canada, so Tom Did His Own Research and put together 4 teams worth of players that could compete with Anthony Edwards and company. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LeBron had a dream, Giannis pulled a Ricky Davis and BING BONG the Knicks are running New York City again. Sports Scientist Lorena Torres of You First joins the program to discuss prioritizing player performance when it comes to load management. Tom finally gets back to doing his own research into the supporting casts of MVP winning players to address the contrived controversy surrounding Nikola Jokic' stat padding. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Tatum earns his Illuminarmy Stripes after acknowledging the existence of the Conservation of Fouls. Before LeBron's ankle went pop, he sowed seeds of discontent in Dallas between Jason Kidd and his immature savior Luka Doncic. Damian Lillard joined Donovan Mitchell in the 71 club, prompting an investigation into the correlation between this season's scoring boom, the increased pace of play, load management and the average age of an NBA player. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Birthday Illumination! Hopefully your third eyes were open during the All Star Draft, because LeBron James shared a glimpse of his future plans. Oh, how the mighty have fallen as former UCLA teammates, max contract players and All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love hit the buyout market. What kind of impact will they have on their new teams? Then Truth Teller extraordinaire Rachel Nichols of 'What's Burnin' and Showtime Sports joins us to discuss the All Star Game, load management, CBA negotiations and what she considers to be a real issue facing the league. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite eulogizing him on last week's episode, Kyrie Irving is back and spouting off witticisms at furious pace in Dallas. The rest of the trade deadline provided plenty of exciting developments, whether it be Suns' new owner Mat Ishbia emptying the coffers for Kevin Durant or the Lakers banishing a 'vampire' in Russell Westbrook. Finally, the All Star Game is rapidly approaching, and we break the code to reveal the subtext behind players selections in the All Star Draft. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Illumination mourns the passing of Kyrie Irving's tenure in Brooklyn, but thankfully, not all those that wander are lost. LeBron James might be taking the trade a bit personally, but it won't interfere with his quest to break the scoring record. With the Trade Deadline looming, a double dose of Truth Tellers answer the call to discuss trades past, present, and yet to come. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports returns for the third time and Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium breaks a trade DURING THE SHOW! Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Illuminati were forced to bust a conspiracy over the weekend when a reddit post highlighting Jaren Jackson Jr's peculiar home/road splits spread like wildfire. The officials made a gut-wrenching mistake on Saturday night, which will weigh heavily and cause sleepless nights for everyone involved, but was Eric Lewis the right target for Laker fans ire? Finally we are joined by Truth Teller Nate Jones of Goodwin Sports and co-founder of Move Insoles to discuss how to market more reserved superstars like Nikola Jokic, load management and his inspiration for making premium over the counter insoles. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After months of rumblings and speculation, the Lakers have finally pulled the trigger on a deal... For Rui Hachimura. Shannon Sharpe's court-side antics attracted a lot of attention, inspiring the Illuminati to reflect on the greatest heckler in NBA history. Finally we are joined by Dr. Marcus Elliot, founder and director of the Peak Performance Project, to audit Stan Van Gundy's thoughts on "performance"and learn what makes an NBA player a kinematic mover. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As LeBron James closes in on Kareem Abdul Jabbar's scoring record, the Illuminati assess the validity of his latest insinuations of collusion by officials against the Lakers. News reports emerging from the Atlanta Hawks organization indicate a growing state of unrest due to the nepotistic shadow puppet regime pulling the strings. CJ McCollum offers up a cryptic comment about the Toronto Raptors on his podcast, euro-stepping around potential tampering, so we break his code. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a very exciting week here in the Illumination, as our advance scouts have reported a game changing upcoming shift in the video tracking technology that powers the NBA. Before we can dive into all the compelling details and possibilities, Amin takes you behind the curtain of the numerology that guided his laser accurate Geno Smith prediction. Does Kevin Durant's injury spell doom for the resurgent Brooklyn Nets, or will parity continue to keep the association in balance? And should Kevin Huerter do more of his own research? Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyrie Irving's connection the number eleven has been called to the Illuminati's attention for further inspection, and whether his affinity for the number outweighs that of Klay Thompson. Donovan Mitchell's explosive seventy one point evening is indicative of a burgeoning scoring trend in the association, thanks to influences far beyond Mitchell himself. The Ghost of Christmas Future brought James Harden some interesting "news", while LeBron James has altered his DNA in the fight against Father Time. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andre Drummond makes a bold proclamation about his career and hall of fame status, so the Illumination digs into the numbers behind his claim. Despite a brief hitch in their giddyup against Lithuania, Team USA rolled Italy in the FIBA quarterfinals, and there might be a motivational factor hiding in plain sight. Finally, back at the end of May, we brought on a Truth Teller that connected the dots on Referee Eric Lewis' burner account. Lo and behold, three months later, he retired and vanished into the wind. What happened? Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eddie House is trading slaps with the Orlando Magic and Patrick Beverley tells Chris Paul he's too small... while down 20 plus points. As the Illuminati kick off the Agenda, breaking news strikes yet again regarding the sale of the Phoenix Suns to former Michigan State Spartan Mat Ishbia for $4 billion. How will this valuation affect the looming CBA negotiations? And finally, Truth Teller Zach Harper steps out from behind his producer curtain to give us a peek inside the MVP Conversation Bar, where the drinks are flowing amongst the NBA elite. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mas Miami was a roaring success! The Illumination came out in full force and a new one star General has enlisted in the Illuminarmy. The NBA has unveiled six newly designed trophies named after NBA legends, including the new Clutch Player of the Year, and something isn't quite right with the new MVP statue. Rudy Gobert and Zion Williamson have allegedly broken the unwritten rules of the NBA, inciting kerfuffles with their opponents, so the Illuminati are forced to write a new rule. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imposters, fakers and con artists -- oh my! To combat the widespread disinformation campaigns, this week's episode is holding everyone accountable. Millions are duped by Stephen Curry video, even though all the warning signs were there. Speaking of Curry, Illuminarmy general Amin Elhassan gets interrogated by his comrades about his presence at the Golden State Warriors loss thanks to a controversial Curry traveling violation before Tom identifies a new suspect of mayhem: referee John Goble. Lastly, it's time we teach the Illumination out there how to decode the latest Nike "news" in a fresh new Code Breakers segment that ensnares Third Eye Kai and Ja Morant. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Citizens of the Illumination! You've probably noticed all the bread crumbs scattered across the NBA. Open your third eye and follow them as we uncover the truth behind the Lakers-Pacers walk-off ... or should we say, standoff. What's happening in mid-January? As LeBron James battles through injuries, we bring on three-time Truth Teller and injury expert Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes.com to reveal the top-secret data behind all the injuries in the NBA. Finally, Tom Did His Own Research on the explosion of palming across the NBA and a stunning culprit is identified. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Conservation of Points has struck again, this time in the same game as Luka Doncic had his three points taken away and given to his Slovenian counterpart Vlatko Cancar. Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Giannis found out that free throws aren't free when he is intimidated postgame by the vicious duo of Montrezl Harrell and a ladder. Finally, the Illuminati have noticed an increase in traveling violations since the beginning of the season, and after some research, believe they have found the inciting incident. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Illumination's borders knows no bounds -- and live from an undisclosed location, it's the Basketball Illuminati podcast. After the Illumination accepts another high-profile citizen, we untangle the numerology of the NBA's unprecedented scoring spree. 59, 51, 47 from 30, what does it all mean? To help decipher Stephen Curry's scoring rampage, we welcome his long-time trainer Brandon Payne of Accelerate Basketball to the Truth Teller series, who takes us behind the curtain on a hell-ish Trae Young workout this past summer and reveals which players Curry studies to achieve basketball nirvana.  Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyrie Irving has been assigned a six part checklist before he can return to the Nets, a new initiative we at Basketball Illuminati have labeled The D.U.N.C.E. System: Demonstrate Understanding of Nuanced Complex Endorsements. We summon Truth Teller Ethan Sherwood Strauss to elucidate how the player empowerment era has led us to this point. Subscribe to Ethan's Substack: https://houseofstrauss.substack.com/ Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry, and for Basketball Illuminati, six days was too long for the Kyrie Irving debacle to maintain it's grasp on the news cycle. Breaking news sends shockwaves across the Illumination as Steve Nash is out, Ime Udoka is in, and the Brooklyn Nets have put out a fire with... more fire? Also, Myles Turner is asked about whether or not he should be traded for and there's more to the Josh Primo situation than the mainstream media is telling you. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Be cautious, Illumination. These early season records are not what they seem. Except for the Lakers, they're going to continue to have issues unless they find a creative way out of the Russell Westbrook Category. Truth Teller Babak Somekh joins the program to discuss the paper he co-wrote with Paolo Falco and Mauro Caselli titled 'Inside the NBA Bubble: How Black Players Performed Better without Fans'. Finally, Amin shares his first Inconvenient Truth from the new season, concerning Adam Silver's flirtation with relegation and how to properly incentivize tanking teams. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Basketball Illuminati generals react to the NBA's Opening Night festivities and Russell Westbrook's recent comments. On the Agenda, we explore the implications of the Golden State Warriors' recent extensions as it pertains to the futures of their bank account and a particular mercurial linchpin, as well as informing the Illumination why Jordan Poole's contract was reported to be $140 million instead of the more accurate $123 million. Finally, we are joined by Knicks beat writer and SNY reporter Ian Begley to discuss the latest report of the New York Knicks banning dozens of lawyers and season-ticket holders from attending MSG events, providing insight into the perpetually mediocre and petty New York franchise. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul George has thrown his proverbial hat in the ring, so the Illuminati compares his Chucky Barkley impression to Kenan Thompson and Aries Spears. Sprinter Noah Lyles incites the wrath of the NBA comments section, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is the Kobe of Jordan, and Rudy Gobert takes accountability for France being eliminated from the FIBA World Cup. Tom Does His Own Research on last year's Ref Score, which teams were assigned the most experienced referees and predicts which team jump up for in the upcoming season. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirt - Hoodie - Tank - Hat - Beanie Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Illuminarmy generals have been dispatched to get to the bottom of PunchGate and LeakGate in Golden State. To the naked third eye, could this actually help the Warriors in the long run? It's time to revisit some of the most notorious intra-squad scuffles in recent NBA history. Then we are joined by Truth Teller, dad hat ambassador and senior alien correspondent Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports to declassify the secrets of Victor Wembanyama and the code of tanking. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to wake up, Illumination. Preseason action is here, and Return SZN is in full bloom, with Ben Simmons, Kawhi Leonard, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. back on the court. Next on the docket, an investigation into the latest Lakers drama involving LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as we offer an explanation as to why LeBron's response was so brief. Finally, Tom Does His Own Research on the annual NBA GM survey that precedes the season. What's really going on with those ballots? We use 11 percent of our brains to reveal what's really behind these offseason content machines. Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Illuminati takes stock of the onslaught of Media Day content and try to ascertain just how much weight has been gained or lost this offseason. In order to fully understand the Ime Udoka scandal, you need to hear the story within the story from this week's Truth Teller, Ethan Sherwood Strauss of House of Strauss, who unpacks what the Worldwide Leader said in the wake of the news -- and more importantly, what they didn't say. Subscribe to Ethan's Substack: https://houseofstrauss.substack.com/ Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the news that Robert Sarver is selling the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, the Illuminarmy generals get back in the trenches and deliver a bonus episode for the soldiers out there. We have an exclusive Truth-Teller interview with former Suns employee David Bodzin, one of the whistleblowers in the Sarver scandal, who opens some eyes about his incident with Sarver, how it was handled by his bosses and what he thinks Sarver's decision to sell the team.  Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati! On Apple or Spotify Merch: Shirts - Hat 1 - Hat 2 Email us: basketballilluminati@gmail.com Twitter: @bballilluminati Instagram: @basketballilluminati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices