Shows
Baseball and BBQA Baseball Gaijin Author, Aaron Fischman and Champion Pitmaster Fred Robles, With Guest Co-host, Doug ScheidingEpisode 287 features the author of A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back, Aaron Fischman and Champion Pitmaster Fred Robles, With Guest Co-host, Doug Scheiding
Aaron Fischman is a sports writer, author, editor and multimedia journalist, who currently hosts the On the NBA Beat podcast, a weekly interview show he helped co-found with Loren Lee Chen and his brother, Joshua Fischman. His first book, A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back is a very entertaining and informative look at the life and baseball career of Tony Barnette, who took a nontradi...
2025-04-191h 46
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 190: "The Original Louisville Slugger" Book Special With Tim NewbyWriter and historian Tim Newby, author ofThe Original Louisville Slugger, a fun, thorough and important narrative covering the life and baseball career of Pete Browning, joins the show. Browning, one of the best hitters of the 19th century, a deeply flawed but charismatic and pioneering man, has largely been forgotten more than a century later, although Tim's endeavor has worked to bring much-needed awareness to the man and his influence. Enjoy!Here are some highlights –4:40-5:08: “So I took the rest of the summer and just started researching and digging in, and I real...
2025-02-1047 min
Baseball vs. The World14 | Chronicling One Player's Journey From Japan to MLB w/ Aaron Fischman and Tony BarnetteOn the FIRST EVER fourteenth episode of Baseball vs the World, Javier is joined by writer & author Aaron Fischman and former Tokyo Yakult Swallow, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs pitcher Tony Barnette to discuss the recently released novel A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back. They discuss Tony's decision to forgo the minor leagues in favor of Japan, the dichotomy between pro ball over seas vs in the USA, how Aaron and Tony began this book partnership, the trials and tribulations of being a pro, and a WHOLE lot more! MERCH IS LIVE: https://j...
2024-08-131h 01
Know Band of Full Audiobooks in Self Development, Health & WellnessBaseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back - Aaron FischmanListen to this audiobook in full for free onhttps://epod.spaceTitle: Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and BackAuthor: Aaron FischmanNarrator: Brian NishiiFormat: UnabridgedLength: 10:18:33Language: EnglishRelease date: 08-13-2024Publisher: Oasis AudioGenres: Biography & Memoir, SportsSummary:Like many American boys, Tony Barnette yearned to one day make it to “The Show,” playing baseball professionally. The Arizona State pitcher was drafted in 2006 by the in-state Diamondbacks. Gradually ascending the minor-league ladder, it looked like this was the beginning of a...
2024-08-1310h 18
Unlock Top Free Audiobooks in Biography & Memoir, SportsA Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back by Aaron FischmanPlease visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/792586 to listen full audiobooks. Title: A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back Author: Aaron Fischman Narrator: Brian Nishii Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 10 hours 18 minutes Release date: August 13, 2024 Genres: Sports Publisher's Summary: Like many American boys, Tony Barnette yearned to one day make it to “The Show,” playing baseball professionally. The Arizona State pitcher was drafted in 2006 by the in-state Diamondbacks. Gradually ascending the minor-league ladder, it looked like this was the beginning of a blessed life, where he could play the game he loved on the grandest of stages in fron...
2024-08-1305 min
The K.P. Wee PodcastEpisode 98: Aaron Fischman, Author of "A Baseball Gaijin" Aaron Fischman joins this episode to discuss his book, A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back, which is a biography of former Major League Baseball pitcher Tony Barnette. Aaron chats with K.P. and co-host Stan Markotich about this compelling read, which comes highly recommended. The book, published by Sports Publishing, chronicles Barnette's journey of perseverance and determination in pursuit of his dreams. Buy A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Baseball-Gaijin-Chasing-Dream-Japan/dp/1683584775/ Here is Aaron's website to...
2024-08-031h 02
Baseball Together PodcastFollowing a Baseball Gaijin with Author Aaron Fischman - Ball TalkThanks for joining us for this week's episode of Ball Talk! This week, Brig and Brad speak with Aaron Fischman, author of the book, "A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back." They talk about the story of Tony Barnette, who the book's about, and some of Aaron's process for writing and researching. Enjoy!
Buy "A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683584775?&tag=skyhorsepub-20
Thanks for joining us! If you enjoy the podcast, please leave us a...
2024-07-1942 min
The 40/40 Vision PodcastEpisode 112: Author Aaron Fischman on ‘A Baseball Gaijin’ and the Inspirational Journey of Tony BarnetteOn this episode of The 40/40 Vision Podcast, we welcome Aaron Fischman, author of 'A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing A Dream To Japan And Back”, a book about the inspirational journey of MLB pitcher Tony Barnette who played professionally in Japan to earn his way to the major leagues.
We discuss the inspiration behind the book and the research process involved to tell Barnette’s story and the story of baseball in Japan. We also explore the cultural differences between American and Japanese baseball and the unique atmosphere of Japanese baseball stadiums.
The...
2024-07-0154 min
The Twin Bill Baseball Book Podcast14. Aaron Fischman, author of A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and BackAaron Fischman joins us to talk about his book, A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back.
Buy A Baseball Gaijin
Follow Aaron Fischman on Twitter
The Twin Bill Lit Journal
Patreon
Instagram
Twitter
Hosted by Scott Bolohan
Music by Mark Bolohan
2024-07-0142 min
BackTable Vascular & InterventionalEp. 427 TREAT Symposium: Advancing Clinical Education with Live Cases with Dr. Aaron FischmanIn this episode of BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Sabeen Dhand interviews guest Dr. Aaron Fischman about the TREAT Symposium and its evolution into TREAT Live, a platform for broadcasting live endovascular cases. Dr. Fischman is a vascular and interventional radiologist at Mount Sinai in New York.Dr. Fischman details the journey from TREAT’s inception as a conference focused on radial interventions to its current form, which includes a monthly live case streaming setup aimed at providing continuous medical education. The discussion covers the strategic shift from annual conferences to monthly live streams due to...
2024-03-2020 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 183: Andy Liu on Warriors’ 2023-24: “This Thing Is Tenuous”Andy Liu of the Light Years podcast is back yet again; for a record ninth time, in fact. His task this time? Helping Aaron preview the Golden State Warriors as they attempt to bounce back from a 44-38 campaign in which just six games separated them from 11th-place Utah and they were eliminated by the Lakers in the second round. Andy and Aaron discuss last season’s challenges, summer acquisition Chris Paul’s fit, Draymond Green’s leadership, Andrew Wiggins’ value and Klay Thompson’s future, among
other timely topics.
7:31-8:39: “They tried to downplay it. They tried...
2023-10-0249 minOn the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 169: NBA Power Rankings (1/19/22)We have officially crossed the halfway point of the NBA's 1230-game regular season and to celebrate the occasion and welcome our show back from its hibernation, Aaron is excited to present a special solo episode of his (subjective) power rankings of the league's 30 teams, organized into five tiers. Along the way, Aaron will also share his thoughts on a select number of teams and offer other interesting nuggets about the season so far.
Sponsor: Use code TBPN during sign-up at DraftKings.com to claim your free shot at millions of dollars in total prizes.
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2022-01-2234 minOn the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 165: "Built to Lose" Book Special With Jake FischerEnjoy Aaron's one-on-one conversation with Bleacher Report writer Jake Fischer on his debut book, "Built to Lose: How the NBA’s Tanking Era Changed the League Forever."
4:47-5:23: “There was a long Google doc of probably 600 names of people that were this player and his agent and the player’s college coach and every single guy who was ever rostered by that team, guys who were in training camp. And then as you get on the phone with other people, you start to ask also, like, ‘Hey, now that we’ve talked for 20, 30, 40 minutes, and you kind of know who I am a lit...
2021-10-2836 minOn the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 155: Dan Morgan: “Ben Simmons” Will Be “the Guy Blamed" for 76ers' ExitDan Morgan of the Process Potables podcast joins Loren and Aaron to break down the Philadelphia 76ers’ heartbreaking Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. From Ben Simmons’ offensive disappearing act to Joel Embiid playing through injury to Dan’s faith (or lack thereof) in head coach Doc Rivers to President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey’s offseason task ahead, this episode has everything. Enjoy some excerpts below:
15:02-16:26: “‘Can they [co]exist, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid?’ Well, that’s been the question for a long time. They did enough to be the No. 1 seed in an improved East th...
2021-06-2552 minOn the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 154: Mike Singer: Stopping Phoenix an “Impossible Equation” for NuggetsNikola Jokic earned 2020-21 MVP honors and was presented with his trophy before Denver’s home Game 3 against the Phoenix Suns. But an epic individual performance from the skilled center was not enough for the team to avoid another double-digit loss, its third in as many games of the series. Facing a 3-0 hole, the Nuggets will need a miracle in order to make NBA history and become the first ever team to come back from such a series deficit. Our guest, Mike Singer of the Denver Post, breaks down how the Nuggets got to this point, with specific emphasis on...
2021-06-1347 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 147: Sarah Spencer: Hawks Have “Caught Fire”Going into the 2020-21 season, the Atlanta Hawks revamped their roster, hoping a few high-profile veteran additions would help their talented young core finally make the playoffs. The plan didn’t exactly work out as intended, as the team incurred a slew of key injuries and fell to 14-20, which triggered the firing of its head coach, Lloyd Pierce. Under Nate McMillan, however, the Hawks have completely turned it around, playing high-quality basketball that’s put them in prime position to achieve a top-five playoff seed. And their veterans are excelling, including Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari and Clint Capela, who was...
2021-04-2844 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 145: Sekou Smith: “In the West, Everybody is Swinging for the Fences at All Times”Sekou Smith of NBA TV, NBA.com and the Hang Time Podcast returns to the show to survey the ultra-competitive West, a conference replete with fascinating storylines ahead of the season’s start. For instance, should the Lakers be considered heavy favorites, what’s going on in Houston, which teams are best primed to squeeze into the postseason and what can we expect from the Warriors following a lost '19-20 season? Sekou tackles all these Western Conference questions and more, plus he offers a bonus Giannis extension reaction and Aaron delivers a Spurs-themed Sexy Stats segment coming out of the...
2020-12-1844 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 139: Melissa Isaacson: Bulls' Title Run Was a "Magical, Magical Time"Melissa Isaacson, former sports reporter for the Chicago Tribune, relives covering the historically dominant Bulls teams of the early 1990s, as she breaks down The Last Dance, the popular docuseries in which she appears. She also discusses her latest book, State: A Team, a Triumph, A Transformation.
Time stamps may vary due to dynamic advertising:
4:25 - 5:40: "Over the years, he [Michael Jordan] really has been sort of portrayed as this egomaniac, and he's kind of helped along with that narrative. His Hall of Fame speech was taken in a way that I was sort of really shocked by. I actually...
2020-05-1737 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 138: Harrison Faigen: “There’s Genuine Dislike Between (Lakers and Clippers)”SB Nation's Silver Screen & Roll writer and editor-in-chief Harrison Faigen discusses the present state of the Los Angeles Lakers as uncertainty swirls around a potential NBA return this season.
7:56-9:03: "The only way to change this (mental health stigma) and have people be more comfortable talking about it is to have more people talk about it openly and have it not be that big of a deal. And so I want it to not be a big deal when I talk about being afraid to go outside or being afraid to go back to work. These are things we all...
2020-05-1145 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 137: Tomer Azarly on Clippers: "Still A Work in Progress"Tomer Azarly of Clutch Points joins the show to discuss the state of the Clippers just past the season's midway point. Enjoy these clips/Clips:
6:04-6:42: I just think it's a work in progress. It’s a team last year that had an underdog mentality all season and now you add two superstars from two completely different programs in Kawhi and PG, and it just takes time to incorporate these guys. We haven't even talked about the fact that they have one game healthy all year. That was the Laker game on Christmas Day. The following game, Trez missed because of...
2020-01-2839 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 136: Will & Grace's David Kohan: “I Think This Is the (Clippers') Year”David Kohan, along with his friend Max, created the long-running hit comedy series Will & Grace. But the Emmy Award winner is also one of the biggest Clippers fans we know, and boy was he excited to preview the upcoming season in Clipperland, one which he believes will be “the year.” Boasting the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and a deep supporting cast, the Clippers are primed for a breakthrough season. Coincidentally, Will & Grace just made a big announcement of its own: the show will be ending after one final season. Following the Clippers discussion, David touches upon that as well...
2019-07-3140 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 135: Jovan Buha: Leonard, George "Can Be Best Perimeter Pairing Since Pippen, M.J."Last Friday night, Los Angeles residents, among people in others places such as Las Vegas, felt a 7.1-magnitude earthquake. Within nearly two and a half hours, the Clippers had pulled off an earth-shattering pair of moves that would bring both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to Los Angeles, not too far from where either superstar was born and raised. For the occasion, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha appears On the NBA Beat to discuss how the long-suffering franchise positioned itself for such a major offseason coup, how dominant these Clippers can truly be after the earth-Kawhiuake, the question marks surrounding Pa...
2019-07-1144 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 134: Jake Fischer: Top-Tier Free Agents May Need to Wait for KawhiJake Fischer joins the show on the doorstep of the official beginning to the 2019 NBA free agency period. The Sports Illustrated reporter takes us through the likeliest scenarios involving superstars Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. He also explores the Los Angeles Clippers’ chances of finally landing a max free agent after years of coming away empty-handed and how their arena-mates plan to build around Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Jake’s thoughts on the 76ers’ approach to the offseason and the Rockets’ rumored interest in Jimmy Butler are featured as well, among other salient NBA storylines. Some highlights of an ac...
2019-06-2927 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 133: Eric Nehm: With Bucks, "Is There Anything That Really Needs Fixing?"On the heels of a disappointing Eastern Conference finals exit at the hands of the Raptors, The Athletic’s Eric Nehm is here to talk all things Milwaukee Bucks, including Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP campaign, the Bucks’ spectacular season, Mike Budenholzer’s inaugural year at the helm, and the significant offseason looming ahead.Some noteworthy clips (Particular time stamps may vary due to dynamic advertising.): 9:02-9:15: “I guess a less mature 24-year-old would just be angry and not really thinking about exactly how he gets better, but here’s Giannis, two days later, saying, ‘You know, I gotta find a way to be more...
2019-06-0440 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 132: Tom Westerholm: Giannis Will "Have to Work for Every Bucket" (Celtics-Bucks)The Boston Celtics stole Game 1 in Milwaukee before the mighty Bucks answered Tuesday with a comfortable victory of their own. With the series all squared up and storylines aplenty, Tom Westerholm of MassLive delves into this fun matchup, which pits Milwaukee and Boston against each other for the second straight postseason. Only, this time, Milwaukee is coming off a 60-win season and the Celtics are able to suit up Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. The Celtics severely limited MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 1, but he responded with a strong performance in Game 2. How can Boston hope to corral the...
2019-05-0231 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 131: Tomer Azarly: The Clippers Want to "Build (Their) Own Identity"Tomer Azarly of Clutch Points goes in depth and breadth on the special 2018-19 Clippers team that has exceeded expectations despite significant player turnover. The Clippers are back in the playoffs, but whom should they hope to avoid in the first round? Tomer also touches upon what's made the Clippers so effective, including super-subs Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell, "unstat-able" Pat Beverley, Landry Shamet's outside shot, reinvigorated coaching from Doc Rivers, clutch play and more. Obviously, the discussion closes with some Kawhi Leonard talk. Enjoy some noteworthy clips/Clips (*Due to dynamic advertising, excerpt time stamps may vary per listener): 10:30-1...
2019-04-0749 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 130: James Edwards III: Griffin, "Gritty, In Your Face, Bruising" Embodies Pistons' IdentityThe Athletic's James Edwards III informs on all things Detroit Pistons at this critical juncture for the franchise. *Due to dynamic advertising, excerpt time stamps may vary per listener:According to James, the Pistons are all in on Griffin, but that sentiment could change in a hurry (10:23-11:07):“They love him. The city loves him. I really, truly believe that he likes playing in Detroit. He likes this challenge of building an organization up and trying to get it to a height it wasn’t at before his arrival. But with that said, I would not be surprised if this team...
2019-03-3036 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 129: Joshua Recounts All-Star Weekend, Including His Joe Harris ExclusiveTwo years ago, the NBA moved the All-Star game away from Charlotte due to the passage of North Carolina's discriminatory House Bill 2. Within months, HB2 was repealed, and although many in the LGBTQ community are presently unsatisfied with the status quo, the league opted to allow Charlotte to host this season's festivities. Joshua Fischman interviewed Reggie Bullock, Stefanie Dolson, Jason Collins and others about that. He also got the chance to question Nets shooting guard Joe Harris, one day before the big event where he stunned the oddsmakers by taking down the Curry brothers, Devin Booker and the rest of...
2019-02-2526 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 128: Howard Beck on Deadline Deals, AD & Superstars' Increasing LeverageBleacher Report's Howard Beck has been covering the NBA full-time for the past couple decades, and he detects an unmistakable change in the way the league's superstars are increasingly dictating where they play. He discusses this phenomenon with regard to Anthony Davis' recent trade demand, Milwaukee's ongoing efforts to retain franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo for the long term and how the trend impacted this season's awfully busy and entertaining trade deadline. Plus, the All-Star weekend is nearly upon us, providing an opportunity to touch on those festivities in Charlotte. *You can also find Howard hosting The Full 48 or appearing on N...
2019-02-1253 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 127: Coral Lu: Consuming NBA Now “Part of Daily Life” in ChinaFrom David Stern's visits to China in the '80s to every NBA Finals game being broadcast there live in 1994 to Yao Ming's thrilling rookie season with the Rockets in 2002 to LinSanity 10 years later to the explosion of social media and the league's recent rights deals (worth hundreds of millions of dollars) with Chinese tech giants, the NBA's influence in China has skyrocketed. The one and only Coral Lu of ESPN China brings her unique perspective to help break it all down for us. Here are some highlights (*Due to dynamic advertising, time stamps may vary per listener):13:39-14:12: “I wou...
2019-01-1445 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 126: Mares: Nikola Jokic Redefining ‘MVP’ in Today’s NBAThe Denver Nuggets are on the upswing with a talented young core and six straight months of winning basketball. They also hold the Western Conference’s No. 1 spot, one and a half games ahead of the Thunder and Warriors, and are led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic. Adam Mares of Denver Stiffs and Locked On Nuggets breaks down what makes Denver tick. Here are some particularly golden nuggets (*Due to dynamic advertising, time stamps may vary per listener): 7:13-7:30: “You look at the 2015 Warriors. If I said, ‘Oh, take Steph Curry off that team,’ the offense all of a sudden doesn’t loo...
2019-01-0437 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 125: James Ham: These Kings Are a “Breath of Fresh Air”The Sacramento Kings are off to a strong beginning after most expected them to finish at or near the conference's cellar. And second-year point guard De'Aaron Fox's seismic leap is a huge reason why. James Ham of NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California stops by to break down the Kings' sizzling start, the organization's coach-executive drama and where the Kings go from here as they aim to get back into the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. Here are some particularly regal clips (*Due to dynamic advertising, time stamps may vary per listener): 11:39-12:14: “He [De’Aaron Fox] is...
2018-12-0447 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 124: The Bucks Are Scoring 122 Points Per Game!Aaron reviews the first quarter of the 2018-19 season, focusing on overall offensive production compared to last year and the Milwaukee Bucks' considerable improvement. While scoring is way up, offensive efficiency remains about the same as last season. Aaron explains how. He explores Denver's defensive progression under Mike Malone, as well as the unexpected offensive declines of the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics. There's much more included, but we won't give it all away. Oh, and next week, we'll be back with a brand new interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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2018-11-2727 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 123: Brad Botkin Previews West: Spurs “Not Good Enough” for PlayoffsBrad Botkin, senior NBA writer for CBS Sports and co-author of Olympic gold medalist Dan O' Brien's memoir, "Clearing Hurdles," has strong opinions about this season's Western Conference and he's unafraid to share them. Timing will vary due to dynamic advertising, but here are the approximate time stamps of some of our favorite clips (so many good ones to choose from):7:06-7:28: "I've heard a lot of people say, 'Well that's how Kobe led. That's how Jordan led. He forced the best out of his guys.' Listen, come talk to me when Jimmy Butler is Kobe or Jordan. Jimmy...
2018-10-1644 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 122: "It's a Terrible (Eastern) Conference" With Kelly DwyerIn the wake of LeBron James' departure, Kelly Dwyer discusses his Eastern favorites and why the conference is overall so bad. The online basketball writing pioneer who wrote for Yahoo!'s Ball Don't Lie blog for nearly a decade, among multiple notable gigs, is currently shining for The Second Arrangement, a project to which you can subscribe for as low as $5 per month. Timing will vary due to dynamic advertising, but here are the approximate time stamps of some of our favorite clips (so many good ones to choose from):7:29-7:39 on the Boston Celtics' immense depth: “There’s so many ar...
2018-10-1531 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 121: "The (Clippers) Curse" Book Special With Mick MinasMick Minas, author of "The Curse: The Colorful & Chaotic History of the LA Clippers," is here to discuss his comprehensive book that chronicles the wild history of the Clippers. Plagued by penny-pinching ownership, questionable management, terrible luck, and a well earned abysmal reputation, the franchise experiences so many low lows, but optimism is somehow rarely too far away. Even with a new era of Clippers basketball beginning, there is reason for hope. For those interested, Mick's book can be purchased on Amazon. For more information, visit the book's website or follow Mick on Twitter. Enjoy some clips (The time stamps are...
2018-09-0856 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 120: LeBron's Lakers With Harrison Faigen, Eric PincusFollowing a five-year playoff drought, come July, the Los Angeles Lakers and their fan base could exhale. That’s when they landed LeBron James, the most dominant and versatile player in today’s NBA. To discuss these Lakers, Aaron and Loren are joined by Harrison Faigen of SB Nation’s Silver Screen & Roll and Eric Pincus, Lakers reporter for Bleacher Report, cohost of the Hollywood Hoops Podcast and Capologist for Basketball Insiders and NBATV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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2018-08-2945 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 119: Around the League in 80 Days Book Special With Bill, Gabe AllenA soon-to-be college graduate and his dad, a recently retired professor, set out on an 80-day journey around the NBA, stopping by all 29 arenas over a nearly three-month period. That's the backdrop for "Around the League in 80 Days," a 2015 memoir penned by William and Gabriel Allen. The father-son duo was gracious enough to join Aaron for a detailed, behind-the-scenes discussion on the book and their underlying adventure. If interested, the book can be purchased here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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2018-07-2639 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 118: Harvey: “Which Rockets Team Will We See?"We’ve brought back Randy Harvey, former sports editor of the Houston Chronicle, to discuss the Houston Rockets’ Western Conference finals run. Since retiring on March 1st, Randy and his wife moved to Pasadena where he’s continued to follow the Rockets from afar. With the series tied at one, the Rockets stand three wins away from their first NBA Finals berth in 23 years. Standing in their way, the mighty Warriors who have won two of the past three titles. This season’s Rockets won a league-best 65 games after adding superstar point guard Chris Paul, who had never appeared in a confer...
2018-05-1933 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 117: Grizz Gaming GM Lang Whitaker: “It’s Like Real Sports”Lang Whitaker is back for another exhilarating appearance, this time informing us on the brand new NBA 2K League and his role as general manager of Grizz Gaming, the Memphis Grizzlies’ representative team. Whitaker, who also serves as a contributor to Grind City Media and GQ Magazine, cannot wait for the 2K League’s inaugural season, and he’s here to tell us why. There’s no chance you’ll need to grit or grind through these interview highlights below: 6:40-8:33: “I cohosted the Hang Time Podcast for NBA.com the last few years, and one of my cohosts was Rick Fox. An...
2018-02-2432 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 116: Bill Bohl: "Everything Makes More Sense When [Jimmy Butler's] on the Court"A little more than six months after our latest Timberwolves-themed episode, things are looking pretty good for the team currently fourth in the West. Aaron checked in with Billy Bohl, writer for ESPN True Hoop’s A Wolf Among Wolves to discuss a slew of topics, including but not limited to coach Tom Thibodeau’s minutes allocation, 22-year-old phenoms Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and Jimmy Butler’s multifaceted impact on the organization’s success. Feel free to wolf down some highlighted sections below: 10:00-10:51: “I think it [the third seed] is preferable [to the fourth seed]. But again, you don't want...
2018-02-1340 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 115: Salman Ali: Rockets "Not Mincing Words, Want to Go at Warriors"After a disappointing second-round exit in the 2017 playoffs, the Rockets were busy during the offseason, trading for star point guard Chris Paul and adding defensive specialists Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and P.J. Tucker. Those moves have been bearing fruit thus far, as last week they became only the third team since 2015 to win the season series over the Golden State Warriors. To help us assess how much of a threat these Rockets pose to the defending champions, we brought back Salman Ali, managing editor of Red Nation Hoops, for his second appearance on the show. He takes us...
2018-01-3132 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 114: Jordan Maly: Markkanen’s “Confidence is Oozing” for the BullsThe Chicago Bulls ended the year last season by surprisingly stealing two games in Boston in their first-round playoff series against the Celtics and then subsequently losing the next four games. Since then, they let go of veterans Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, traded away franchise superstar Jimmy Butler, and brought back a new young core of Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and rookie Lauri Markkanen. In our first episode of 2018, we’ve brought on Jordan Maly, host of the Locked on Bulls podcast, to help decipher this enigmatic Chicago team. He takes us through a mid-season assessment of that Jimmy Bu...
2018-01-1543 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 113: Ian Levy: Oladipo Spearheads Pacers' Newfound “Kinetic Explosiveness”The Indiana Pacers have bounced back from a subpar start to stand 18-14. In an Eastern Conference crowded with many solid, second-tier teams looking to separate themselves from the pack, Indiana is more than holding its own thanks to an elite offense led by Victor Oladipo. Ian Levy, NBA editor and columnist for FanSided and Editor-in-Chief of The Step Back, helps us break down the team he knows best. We’ll cover Indiana’s captivating comeback ability, the sudden emergence of Oladipo and so much more. Who's your (Hoosier?) favorite podcast for interview excerpts? 6:42-7:28: “If he [Victor Oladipo] can sustain w...
2017-12-2346 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 112: Max Rappaport: "Now 76ers Care About Wins & Losses Too"With redshirt rookie Ben Simmons garnering heavy praise around the league and Joel Embiid looking healthy and better than ever, the long-tanking 76ers are finally winning games, beginning to reap the benefits of their ambitious Process, which Sam Hinkie launched nearly four and a half years ago. As Simmons comfortably leads the Rookie of the Year chase, filling virtually every corner of the stat sheet, he’s surrounded by improved shooter Robert Covington, veteran free-agent acquisition J.J. Redick and, more broadly, a considerably bolstered roster compared to a season ago. Philadelphia’s Defensive Efficiency has cracked the league’s top 10...
2017-12-0948 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 111: Duncan Smith: Drummond’s Game Sees “Complete & Total Shift”The Detroit Pistons have bounced back from an incredibly disappointing 2016-17 campaign to begin this season 14-8. In the process, Detroit is securing come-from-behind victories with great frequency – half of its wins have occurred in games it trailed by double-digits – the second unit is dominating opposing benches and Andre Drummond is showcasing a vastly expanded offensive repertoire. Duncan Smith, contributor to The Athletic Detroit and Bball Breakdown, operates as our tour guide on this exhilarating exploration of the Motor City’s NBA club. We’ll discover how good the Pistons are and where they can still improve. Duncan’s game was clicki...
2017-12-0445 min
The SuperFlightSuperFlight - 82 - Clippers Talk with Aaron FischmanAaron Fischman of On The NBA Podcast joins Joe this week to talk about the Clippers struggles and where they go from here. Will the Clippers trade DeAndre? Will Blake be able to figure out the fourth quarter woes? Will Doc be back next season? Will the Clippers rebuild and what would that mean for the fan base? All of these questions will be answered plus what's up with Kawhi and can the Wizards keep winning without Wall? It's a fun conversation, have a listen.You can follow Aaron on Twitter @ByAaronFisch and On The NBA Beat Podcast...
2017-11-281h 11
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 110: Eric Nehm: "Giannis Is a Kobe-Level Lunatic"Since the Milwaukee Bucks took Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, he’s shown tremendous growth as a basketball player, both literally and figuratively. This season, he has planted his name firmly within the MVP conversation, even if casual fans still have trouble pronouncing it. To guide us through this episode wholly devoted to the Grecian phenom, we’ve brought on Eric Nehm, Bucks beat writer for ESPN Milwaukee and cohost of the Locked on Bucks podcast. Eric explains how Giannis’ humble upbringing, laser-like focus and basketball obsession have all contributed to his nearly unprecedented development from a...
2017-11-2146 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 109: Andrew Schlecht: Thunder Have No Offensive Identity YetThe Oklahoma City Thunder turned heads around the NBA this offseason when they added stars Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. So far, though, integrating them into the team hasn't been a smooth process. Before back-to-back wins against the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks, they had been riding a four-game losing streak and were winless against the Western Conference. Andrew Schlecht, host of the Down to Dunk and OKC Dream Team podcasts and contributor to Daily Thunder, joined us to try to diagnose what exactly has gone wrong and whether or not the Thunder should be worried. See what we're...
2017-11-1339 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 108: Adam Mares: “Guys Are Figuring Out New Roles Around Millsap”The 5-5 Denver Nuggets are currently about as good as their record would suggest, according to this week’s guest Adam Mares, host of the Locked on Nuggets podcast and site manager for SB Nation’s Denver Stiffs. He argues that despite the team’s considerable continuity, many players are still adjusting to new roles this season. In addition, the Nuggets are still incorporating Paul Millsap into their game plan, particularly on the offensive end. Adam discusses this process, Denver’s many young guards and much more in this action-packed episode. He strikes gold throughout, but here are some particular examples...
2017-11-0734 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 107: Sandy Mui: "Nets Fans Have a Lot to Look Forward To"The Brooklyn Nets’ 2017-18 season, much like Boston’s, was shaken from the very start when starting point guard Jeremy Lin went down with a scary-looking knee injury. Shortly after, it was announced the veteran guard would be sidelined for the rest of the season with a ruptured patella tendon. To discuss the implications of the devastating injury and much more, Sandy Mui, host of the Brooklyn Revolution Podcast, not to mention Brook-Lin.com assignment editor and writer at The Brooklyn Game, graciously joins Loren and Aaron. Particularly, she also pays close attention to the team’s youngsters, D’Angelo Russell...
2017-10-3130 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 106: Clippers Basketball "Transports" Will & Grace Co-Creator David KohanDavid Kohan, best known for co-creating the pioneering hit comedy series “Will & Grace” is actually a huge Los Angeles Clippers fan, attending games at the LA Sports Arena beginning in the late ‘80s. In this episode, Aaron had the opportunity to talk with David about both the return of Will & Grace after 11 years off the air and his beloved Clippers. Some clips, pun intended, are excerpted below: 4:31-4:50: “There was something about last season that felt joyless. In fact, that should have been what it said on the T-shirts: joyless. This year so far, in the two-game sample size, they seem looser...
2017-10-2439 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 105: Sekou Smith (Eastern Conference Preview): Giannis' Next Challenge? Being Great Every NightA number of stars, including Paul George, Jimmy Butler and Paul Millsap, no longer play in the East, potentially leaving the conference with ample playoff spots available for the taking. In addition, the reigning Eastern Conference finalists swapped star point guards adding a special flavor to their already existing rivalry. Meanwhile, teams like the Raptors, Bucks and Wizards hope their various brands of continuity can vault them to an elite class. To help us sort through it all, Sekou Smith, NBA.com writer and host of the Hang Time podcast, appears for a can’t-miss episode: 4:59-5:35: "[Dwyane Wade]'s been...
2017-10-1736 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 104: Ward-Henninger (Western Conference Preview): "There's Operation Shutdown Potential" for OKCColin Ward-Henninger of CBSSports.com helps preview the talent-loaded Western Conference after an action-packed offseason replete with key player movement.8:54-9:52: “Paul George actually had a higher usage rate and more touches than Melo last year, and we all know what Russ [Westbrook] does on the court. And he had a hard enough time playing with Durant, and then when Durant left, we saw the madness that happened last year with just the NBA record usage rate of like 40 percent or something like that, which is insane, and it’s hard to just turn that off. I think it’s going...
2017-10-1629 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 103: Dave Zirin: “There Is No Stay in Your Lane…All the Rules Are Gone”In these unprecedented political and social times, Dave Zirin of The Nation and the Edge of Sports podcast joins the show for an important conversation. Below, you can find some highlights from the interview:6:31-7:18: “There is no stay in your lane at this point. All the rules are gone, and I think the very existence of Donald Trump should remove this idea, even as a debate. But the reason you’ve heard it step up in recent years is precisely because we have this Donald Trump[-led] racist backlash taking place in this country. And part of this racist back...
2017-10-1139 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 102: Magnotti: Luka Doncic's "Brilliant Passing" Draws CP3 ComparisonLed by tournament MVP Goran Dragic and impressive 18-year-old Luka Doncic, Slovenia upset the perennial favorite, Spain, on its way to a EuroBasket Gold, the first medal of any kind in the tournament for the small country of only about 2 million people. Trevor Magnotti, who covers all things EuroLeague at The Step Back, joins Aaron to break down the most important takeaways from EuroBasket, including the draft implications of Doncic's performance and the possibility of new young powerhouses in Latvia, Slovenia and Finland replacing the longtime European mainstays of Spain and France. Of course, Aaron also gets Trevor's viewpoint on...
2017-09-2436 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 101: Matt Hill on His Projects, Lonzo Ball FascinationThe creative Matt Hill, Super Hoopers cofounder and cohost, graces us with his presence, as we discuss a wide selection of topics, ranging from his viral animated comedy web series “Spurs Special Forces” to Lonzo Ball, bandwagon fans and so much more. A trio of excerpts can be found below:6:50-7:06: Matt discusses longtime friend Randall Park [actor-comedian]’s unique contributions to "Spurs Special Forces." “He’s just an old friend. So I was doing the Spurs [Special Forces video], and I thought it’d be funny to have him even though he knows nothing about basketball. He has no idea who Man...
2017-09-1534 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 100: Celebrating the 100th ShowFor this special episode, your hosts will break precedent and not write too much below the audio player. Most importantly, we sincerely appreciate the myriad contributions to our project and made this episode to help spell those out. It’s a long episode, but one which we hope you’ll find well worth your while.Interview Time Stamps:13:30-23:40: Lang Whitaker44:24-51:50: Andy Liu52:40-57:35: Justin Faudree58:40-1:06:10: Josh Baumgard1:06:40-1:13:30: Dan Feldman1:14:35-1:22:10: Nick Denning1:24:20-1:29:15: Adena Jones (formerly Andrews)1:30:40-1:41:05: Michael Pina1:42:20-1:51:20: Chris AxmannA few other notable features:24:15-27:00: Fun Fact Montage27:16-44:20: Andy Liu Montage---You can subs...
2017-09-061h 54
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 99: Oliver Maroney: Big3 Players Really “Looking to Prove Something”Oliver Maroney, basketball writer for Dime on Uproxx and host of The Big3 Show, calls in to discuss the Big3 tour just as it concludes its regular season and prepares for Sunday’s semifinal round in Seattle. Maroney gets into the business and marketing side of things, while also, of course, delving into the basketball issues at play. For instance, we’ll find out which team is most likely to challenge the undefeated Trilogy squad and whom he favors to take home the inaugural MVP trophy. Just a one-year novelty experiment? Oliver thinks not. He argues that this league has stay...
2017-08-1839 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 98: Sue Favor: WNBA Must Increase Its Visibility, Start Growing AgainAhead of Friday night’s matchup between the top two teams in the WNBA, the Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks, Sue Favor joins the podcast to talk about the league. Sue, a devoted women’s hoops writer at Women’s Hoops World and her “They’re Playing Basketball” blog, handicaps the MVP race, details the Sparks’ winning formula and more broadly discusses the league’s most important storylines, on and off the court. Wonderful WNBA wisdom can be sampled below:Sue argues Candace Parker is not declining. Far from it:5:22-6:04: “It seems like the minute a player turns 30 everybody’s asking...
2017-08-1141 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 97: Tim Faklis: Timberwolves Primed for Playoffs as 5 or 6 SeedThe Minnesota Timberwolves have missed the playoffs in each of the past 13 seasons, while finishing with more losses than wins over the last 12. However, the tide is about to turn, according to our guest, Tim Faklis, who contributes to A Wolf Among Wolves, Wolves Wired and FanSided’s The Step Back. He argues that the team’s active offseason, highlighted by the blockbuster trade with Chicago that landed Jimmy Butler, has placed it firmly in win-now mode. Tim touches upon a wide assortment of topics, including the Timberwolves’ expected improvement and whether or not they should try to trade for the Ca...
2017-08-0441 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 96: Joe Morgan on Pro Scout School and “Belief in the Future” for the Sacramento KingsThe NBA world has taken over Las Vegas for the last two weeks, and while the main attraction has obviously been Las Vegas Summer League, where teams test out and try to develop their new talent, with so much of the top brass in one city, there are bound to be auxiliary events as well. One such event is TPG Sport Group's Pro Scout School, which our guest, Joe Morgan, was able to attend this week. He lets us in on everything he learned there, from experts like Fran Franchilla, Bobby Marks, Tony Ronzone, Drew Hanlen and more. Of course...
2017-07-1641 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 95: Jovan Buha: Griffin Will “Surpass Paul as Best & Most Important Clipper Ever”ESPN.com’s Jovan Buha joins the podcast to analyze the Los Angeles Clippers’ tumultuous 2017 offseason, highlighted by the departure of Chris Paul and the re-signing of Blake Griffin. Developments from the last couple weeks have raised so many questions. Fortunately, Jovan can reliably provide compelling answers.Enjoy these clips (pun intended; puns are always intended here):4:14-5:03: “He [Paul] obviously wants to win a championship, wants to make the conference finals, get that monkey off his back, and I think for him, surveying the scene, I think Houston and San Antonio both had more upside. The Clippers, with their cap si...
2017-07-071h 03
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 94: Keith Smith: Clippers Face “No-Win Situation,” Celtics Target HaywardThough the free agency period does not officially begin until July 1, the landscape of the NBA has already been shifted dramatically after the draft, a few franchise-altering trades and a couple executive team shake-ups. To help us sort through all the madness of the last week and predict the remaining changes to come, we've brought on Keith Smith, who covers the NBA for Real GM and Fan Rag Sports, and has been presenting detailed analyses of each team's offseason plans for his show, NBA Front Office. With Keith, we break down the ramifications of the blockbuster trades that sent Chris...
2017-06-3059 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 93: Sean Derenthal: Lonzo Ball Could Be Draft’s “Best Player or Basically Unplayable”With the draft fast approaching – it’s scheduled for Thursday, June 22, – we’re joined by a pair of men who closely and passionately follow the NBA draft and its potential prospects year-round. Ode to Oden’s Sean Derenthal and Javier Pesquera of What’s on Draft lend their time and expertise to the show, discussing a wide range of issues, including but not limited to Markelle Fultz’s top billing, the Lonzo Ball phenomenon, the strengths and weaknesses of Josh Jackson’s and Dennis Smith Jr.’s games and the nature of this year’s international class. You won’t want to miss this one...
2017-06-1659 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.38: The Golden State Warriors’ Pursuit of Playoff PerfectionWith just over three minutes left in a thrilling Game 3, the Cleveland Cavaliers held a three-point lead and looked to be on their way to handing the Golden State Warriors their first loss since April 10. Not to be deterred, the Warriors finished the game with 11 straight points, sealing the victory and continuing their quest for an undefeated 16-0 playoff run.Aaron and Loren team up to discuss that heartbreaking Cavaliers loss, what’s gone right and wrong for each team in the series and what the Warriors’ dominance means for the future of the NBA.You can subscribe to, rate and...
2017-06-0947 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.37: 2017 NBA Finals Preview With Brendan Bowers, Andy LiuThe 2017 NBA Finals are finally here. And no surprise…the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are set to face off an NBA-record third straight time. These behemoths come in a combined 24-1 this postseason. The Warriors have won at least 67 games each of the last three regular seasons, whereas the defending champion Cavaliers boast a league-leading 120.7 Offensive Rating these playoffs. As if that weren’t enough, the second LeBron James-Kevin Durant Finals meeting will also be a key component, among a slew of fascinating storylines. To help us preview this highly anticipated rubber series, New York Times bestselling author Bren...
2017-06-0159 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep 2.36: Jim Park: If Warriors Fall Short, “Being Disappointed Would Be the Understatement of the Century”In advance of the NBA Finals, Aaron catches up with former Sheridan Hoops writer Jim Park about the Golden State Warriors’ dominance, Steve Kerr’s health-related absence and what, if anything, can slow down these rolling Warriors.A season after winning an NBA-record 73 games and falling one win shy of their second straight championship, the Golden State Warriors are back to the Finals with a vengeance. There, they’ll be meeting a familiar foe in the form of the Cleveland Cavaliers, setting the stage for the third consecutive NBA Finals matchup between the teams. Storylines abound, including Kevin Durant’s long-awai...
2017-05-2648 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.35: Missing Kawhi and “Peak Powers” LeBron With Paul Garcia, Tas MelasIn this two-part episode, The Starters’ Tas Melas joins us to discuss the league’s biggest storylines, such as the highly anticipated third straight Warriors-Cavaliers Finals matchup, the Celtics’ rapid and robust rebuild and Paul George and Gordon Hayward not qualifying for max extensions. But first, Paul Garcia of Project Spurs and Analyzing the League stops by to detail the incredible impact Kawhi Leonard’s injury has had and will continue to have on San Antonio’s prospects of upsetting the mighty Warriors. If you need to get in the mood, peep a handful of excerpted quotes below:Paul Garcia: 8:45-9:28: “If...
2017-05-1958 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.34: Wizards Must Overcome Road Woes to Advance, Featuring Chase Hughes & Michael PinaChase Hughes of Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic and Vice Sports’ Michael Pina deliver back-to-back interviews in which they delve deeply into the captivating Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics. While the Celtics lead 3-2, the home team has won every single game of the series. No love between the teams has been lost either.Wednesday was a crazy day for D.C. sports fans as the Washington Capitals hosted a Game 7 in which they fell to the Penguins, sending the Caps home early for yet another summer. Also in the nation’s capital, the talented Nationals roar...
2017-05-121h 00
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.33: Flipping the Switch, IT’s Legendary Night, Rockets-Spurs BreakdownDid they just “flip the switch?” Following Cleveland’s middling post-All-Star break stretch, Loren and Aaron begin by discussing the Cavaliers’ dominant first two games against the Raptors. Also on tap: Diminutive Celtics star Isaiah Thomas’ historic Game 2 performance in what figures to be a long, competitive series with the Wizards and what to look for the remainder of the intriguing, intrastate battle between the Spurs and Rockets.Subscribe to, rate and review On the NBA Beat on iTunesFollow @OntheNBABeat and your hosts (@byAaronFisch, @jjfisch, @LorenLChen) on TwitterDiscover the rest of the Almighty Baller Podcast Network at AlmightyBaller.com and on iTunesM...
2017-05-0532 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.32: Zach Harper: With Continuity, Jazz Could Become “Best Non-Warriors Lineup in NBA”Before this season, the Utah Jazz had made their last postseason appearance in 2012 and hadn't won a playoff game since 2010. Since then, they bottomed out at 25 wins in 2013-14, then steadily built themselves back up by developing players, finding diamonds in the rough, and, this season, adding some key veterans to their squad. Now, up 3-2 on the Los Angeles Clippers and heading home to Utah for Friday's Game 6, they're on the brink of advancing to the next round to face the Golden State Warriors. Zach Harper, an NBA columnist for Fan Rag Sports, twice-a-week participant on ESPN's TrueHoop Podcast an...
2017-04-2859 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.31: Dane Carbaugh: Blazers Approaching “Make-It or Break-It Offseason”The Portland Trail Blazers’ prospects of advancing look grim, but the future is fairly bright, according to NBC Sports Pro Basketball Talk’s Dane Carbaugh, who also runs the popular YouTube channel, Dane Not Dan, where he breaks down the NBA in video form. Compared to the previous season, the relative strength of the 2016-17 Western Conference relegated the Blazers to the No. 8 seed where they had the misfortune of drawing the otherworldly Warriors in an all-but-impossible first-round series. With Golden State up 2-0 and prized trade acquisition Jusuf Nurkic nursing a leg injury, much of the conversation’s focus turns to...
2017-04-2158 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.30: Jovan Buha: Clippers “Much Closer to (Dominant) Team From Beginning of Season”On this playoff edition, ESPN's Jovan Buha joins us to help preview the Los Angeles Clippers-Utah Jazz matchup, an opening-round series that pits the league's No. 4 offense against the No. 3 defense. The series comes at a pivotal time for the Clippers, who year after year have failed to meet high postseason expectations and will likely see three of their stars enter unrestricted free agency in the offseason. Do the Clippers have a fatal flaw, or have they merely not yet gotten over the hump? Jovan ponders that very question and much, much more. Sample some clip(per)s below:9:25 - 10:10: Jo...
2017-04-141h 00
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.29: Salman Ali: Rockets Enjoying “Perfect Synergy” Throughout OrganizationThe Rockets embody one of the best storylines of the 2016-17 season. After badly underwhelming a year ago, the front office adeptly moved around pieces, Mike D’Antoni was brought in to lead the team and James Harden has taken his game to unparalleled heights. As a result, Houston enjoys the league’s third best record. Salman Ali, Managing Editor for Red Nation Hoops and host of the podcast with the same name, visits to discuss all those topics and more including how various role players are thriving and what Houston’s chances are against the rest of the Western Confere...
2017-04-0736 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.28: Andy Liu Actually Believes the “Warriors Are Underrated”Our favorite Golden State Warriors guest, Andy Liu of Warriors World, is back for a record fourth episode to discuss his team with us. After a brief stumble during which they lost five of seven games when Kevin Durant went down with injury, the Warriors look like they’ve righted the ship. They're currently on a nine-game win streak, including four convincing wins against teams that will make the playoffs in the Western Conference: the Thunder, Grizzlies, Rockets and Spurs. Andy explains how a team that has by far the best Net Rating in the NBA, the best Offensive Rating an...
2017-03-3137 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.27: Andrew Lynch: Suns' “Season Has Been a Complete Lost Cause”Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Tyson Chandler have already been shut down for the remainder of the Phoenix Suns’ season, but Fox Sports Senior NBA Writer Andrew Lynch isn’t convinced full-on tanking is in the team’s best interest. Andrew’s appearance comes fresh off 20-year-old Devin Booker’s history-making 70-point output in a loss to the Celtics Friday night. He contextualizes Booker’s rare night and breaks down many other integral Suns issues, such as Eric Bledsoe’s projected NBA future, the disappointing Alex Len, rookie Marquese Chriss’ potential and Phoenix’s approach to this June's draft.2:31-2:57: “In this season, Suns...
2017-03-2627 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.26: Rest for the Weary in Today's NBAResting healthy starters is not exactly a new phenomenon, as LeBron James recently pointed out; heck, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been doing it for more than a decade. However, there hasn't been a time in NBA history where the practice has stirred up such a high level of controversy and discontent. The panel aims to explore the issue from the perspectives of the commissioner, NBA coaches, current and former players and, of course, the fans. Be sure to get your rest in advance of the stretch run (we won't blame you for taking care of yourself), but don't sleep...
2017-03-2428 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.25: Blake Murphy: “Raptors Will Be Measured By What They Do Against Cleveland”O Canada! Our home and native land! Blake Murphy, who writes about the Raptors for ESPN TrueHoop's Raptors Republic and The Athletic among other sites, joins the podcast to share his knowledge on Raptors topics such as how trade deadline acquisitions Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker enhance lineup flexibility and the irony of Jonas Valanciunas' situation in that the better he plays seemingly the less chance he has of sticking around next season. Among other salient team-centric subjects, Murphy addresses how Kyle Lowry could have better handled his controversial wrist injury. Unfortunately, this episode does not come with universal h...
2017-03-1735 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.24: Justin Rowan: LeBron James Is “More Comfortable in His Own Skin”Most listeners are aware that LeBron James has consistently guided his teams to NBA Finals appearances (six straight, to be exact), yet this season’s Cavaliers continue to be tested by a number of key injuries that threaten to derail their hopes of repeating as champions. Issues stemming from these injuries have resulted in the team’s recent mediocre play, as Eastern counterparts like the Wizards and Celtics angle for the No. 1 seed currently occupied by Cleveland. Justin Rowan of SB Nation’s Fear the Sword is here to break down those struggles and also illuminate how the Cavaliers can reason...
2017-03-1131 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.23: Darius Soriano: “Onus Is on Lakers’ Player Development Folks” to Maximize PotentialThe Los Angeles Lakers have a new president of basketball operations and general manager, as first-year head coach Luke Walton leads a youthful squad headlined by lottery picks from the past three drafts, Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle. At this critical juncture for the team, Forum Blue & Gold Editor-in-Chief Darius Soriano stops by to break down the biggest storylines for LA's present and future.2:44-3:43: Sadly, the biggest Lakers-related news this season happened off the court with last week’s management shakeup:“The writing was sort of on the wall once Magic [Johnson] was hired as an adviser to Je...
2017-03-0436 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.22: James Ham: Kings “Rip the Band-Aid Off” by Trading CousinsLast Sunday, the Sacramento Kings finally dealt the player who served as both franchise cornerstone and a near-constant thorn in their side for his first six and a half NBA seasons. Comcast Sports Net California Kings Insider James Ham breaks down the complexities of the divorce as only he can. Royal excerpts from James' responses can be found below:12:35-13:07: Don’t compare Buddy Hield to Stephen Curry, but there is reason to be excited about the young shooting guard:“Just take that and throw that out the window. He’s not Steph Curry. He can average 14 to 16 points per game in...
2017-02-2545 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.21: Dan Devine: Pelicans’ “Bully Ball” Could Take Toll on Warriors in Postseason (Trade Deadline Special)Less than 24 hours before the NBA's annual trade deadline, Yahoo! Sports NBA editor Dan Devine (Ball Don't Lie) fits us into his busy schedule. Dan breaks down the league's biggest trades to date (chief among them, this past weekend's DeMarcus Cousins deal), hints at what may be on the horizon and touches upon the Clippers' postseason prospects and two dark-horse contenders in the Rockets and Wizards. He even provides a glimpse into New Orleans cuisine. What a guy! What a show! 7:57 - 9:15: Dan explores how the DeMarcus Cousins acquisition will likely affect the Pelicans' position in the race for the West...
2017-02-2339 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.20: Kacy Sager: Dad, Craig, “Always Referred to (NBA All-Star Weekend) as His Christmas”With NBA All-Star Weekend upon us and her dad, Craig, slated to be inducted into the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame Friday, Kacy Sager joins the podcast. In addition to sharing some special anecdotes about her legendary father, a man who adored the annual All-Star festivities, Kacy describes her love for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s game, gives her pick for league MVP and provides insight into the wild Eastern Conference landscape and Atlanta’s handling of Paul Millsap, among other topics. Kacy, who serves as a contributor for Basketball Breakdown and a member of Turner Sports’ stat team, is honest and entert...
2017-02-1732 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.19: Michael Pina: Celtics Should Grow With Current Core, Resist Butler TradeAs Massachusetts readies for another Super Bowl appearance by its Patriots, the Boston Celtics are playing terrific basketball, guided by two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas, who turned in one of the most prolific scoring months in franchise history this past January. To help us praise IT and get to the bottom of swirling trade rumors and Boston’s defensive woes, Michael Pina is on the scene. Pina, who covers the Celtics for Bleacher Report, hosts The Big Three podcast and writes about the league elsewhere, delivers a frank, spirited analysis of the team. In addition, this wide-ranging discussion hits on how Al...
2017-02-0338 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.18: NBA Reacts to Muslim Ban; Loren’s Jeopardy RunLast Friday's executive order from the Trump administration has drawn criticism from the NBA community, as well as from various corners of the country and world. The panel will discuss the NBA's reaction, why they believe it was justified and what more can be done by the everyday person. That conversation is preceded by Aaron's commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, also on Friday. His primary takeaway? The Holocaust's strongest, most enduring lesson: Silence in the face of discrimination of any group is unacceptable and must never take place in order to avoid repeating the costly mistakes of the past. B...
2017-02-0133 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.17: KL Chouinard: Hawks “Have a Shot Against Cleveland”The Hawks’ season thus far can reasonably be separated into three segments: (1) a hot start, (2) a brutal stretch 11-game stretch, and, finally, (3) the successful period Atlanta is currently enjoying. Kevin “KL” Chouinard, digital writer for the Atlanta Hawks and host of the new ATL and 29 podcast, graces the show with his presence, discussing how Atlanta bounced back from its miserable late-November, early-December slump, the process of integrating free-agent addition Dwight Howard, Dennis Schröder’s excellent first season as a starting NBA point guard and how Paul Millsap serves as the glue that keeps the team together. Of course, many other opin...
2017-01-2733 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.16: Jeff Garcia: Kawhi Leonard “Lurking in the Shadows” of MVP RaceAmid all the talk of a potential third straight Cavaliers-Warriors Finals matchup and a statistically historic MVP race between Russell Westbrook and James Harden, the San Antonio Spurs have quietly continued their dominance, on pace for 64 wins in the first season of the post-Tim Duncan era.. Jeff Garcia, Spurs Head Writer for News 4 San Antonio and Fox 29 San Antonio, as well as the host of the Locked on Spurs podcast, joins us to explain why the Spurs, as always, are perfectly content to stay below the national radar until the playoffs, and how their quiet, humble star, Kawhi Leonard, embodies t...
2017-01-1932 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.15: Andrew Han: Clippers’ Griffin, Paul Likely to Stay PutAt the midpoint of the Clippers’ regular season, there’s no need to fear. Why not? ESPN.com NBA writer and editor Andrew Han is here. The host of ESPN LA's Clippers Podcast dazzles as he reverses roles and answers all of our Clippers-related inquiries. Chief among those, why has a once-elite defense fallen on such hard times? In this extensive interview, Han sheds light on recent improvements to the Clippers’ front office, impactful free-agent additions Marreese Speights and Raymond Felton and Luc Mbah a Moute’s sizable improvement, among a slew of other timely topics. Of course, he also addresses...
2017-01-1439 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.14: Dan Feldman: Pistons’ Andre Drummond’s a “Work in Progress”Last time Dan Feldman of NBC Sports' Pro Basketball Talk joined the podcast, he detailed the Pistons' inconsistency. Again, a season later, Feldman breaks down the team's streakiness and many other salient issues, including Stan Van Gundy's unique brand of leadership, Reggie Jackson's improving play, and why star center Andre Drummond can, at times, be so frustrating to watch. Here are some excerpts to get your engine revving:1:50-1:58: During the recent 3-9 skid: “The entire difference almost was defensively. They went from defending like, give or take, the best team in the league to defending like the worst team in the...
2017-01-1031 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 2.1 Welcome Back!In the inaugural episode of Season 2, Aaron and Loren go over last season's podcast highlights while unveiling the names of the first three interview guests of 2016-17. Music: "Who Likes to Party?" by Kevin MacLeodLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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2016-10-1809 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 25b: PG’s Pacers, Wes Matthews’ Down Year and More on TankingFollowing OTNB’s two most recent team interviews, Aaron and Loren riff on the state of the Pacers and Mavericks. Each team features a key player returning from serious injury and is fighting to earn a spot in this year’s playoffs. Such postseason pursuit is discussed, as well as the philosophy of tanking. The conversation also expands to the future of the Chandler Parsons-Wesley Matthews pairing in Dallas.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2016-03-2727 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 23a (Book Special): Jonathan Abrams Discusses His Book, “Boys Among Men”The wait is over. Jonathan Abrams’ highly anticipated book ”Boys Among Men: How the Prep-to-Pro Generation Redefined the NBA and Sparked a Basketball Revolution,” is finally out! In it, he expertly chronicles the impact of the players who came to the NBA directly from high school before the rule was changed after the 2005 draft. Aaron spoke with the author in detail about the book and some of its most fascinating takeaways. To get you in the mood, here are some sexy clips transcribed:Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...
2016-03-1641 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 19b: The Buzz About Charlotte and Deadline Deals and DudsFollowing the interview with Doug Branson earlier in the week, Aaron and Loren continue the discussion about the surging Charlotte Hornets who have outperformed expectations and won nine of their last 12 games. They further discuss how the team has shown such a drastic increase in both 3-point attempts and percentage, but also look into the factors that have led to them having the largest disparity between home and road winning percentages among projected playoff teams.In the second segment, the co-hosts look into some of the biggest deals that went down before last week’s trade deadline. All of the bi...
2016-02-2220 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 16b: Orlando’s Sudden Demise and the Near All-Stars We Won’t Call “Snubs”On this week’s banter episode, Aaron and Loren revisit the discussion of the Orlando Magic’s tale of two seasons and what this rough stretch might mean in context of the development of their young core. Aaron also shares his strong opinion about Blake Griffin’s broken hand, and finally, following the announcement of the All-Star reserves, the duo opines about who they think are the best players left off of the team.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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2016-01-3126 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 14b: Midseason Awards Starring Porzingis, Towns, Popovich and McCollumMidway through the NBA season, Loren and Aaron take theopportunity to handicap the league’s various awards, including Best Hair ofcourse. In the opening segment, they reflect on the state of the Suns andNuggets – the most recent team interviews – as well as what’s on the horizonfor those two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2016-01-1724 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 6b: The Still Undefeated Warriors and the Aesthetically Pleasing HawksDespite Aaron’s absence, Joshua and Loren revisit the Hawks conversation that began with Lang Whitaker earlier in the week. We touch upon Atlanta’s mounting injuries and how those might impact such a well-balanced Hawks squad even more than a typical star-centric team. Although new acquisition Tiago Splitter might not be garnering too many minutes in the early season, we talk about the types of contributions he can make come playoff time.In the second segment, we reflect on the Warriors’ exhilarating comeback Thursday night against the Clippers. The Dubs’ small lineup of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Harrison...
2015-11-2126 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 4b: Best Rookies, Portland’s Surprise Start and the Enigmatic Derrick RoseOn today’s episode, the A-A-Ron Block is devoted to continued discussion of the Chicago Bulls. This intriguing-yet-perplexing team has defeated the Cavaliers and Thunder, while also surrendering 130 points to the Hornets. Its starting point guard is an enigma, too, going three straight games with single-digit scoring before erupting for 29 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds against the Thunder Thursday. Following Derrick Rose’s strong individual performance, the guys debate the validity of the latest trade rumors swirling around him. They also touch on frontcourt rotations, the pros and cons of starting Doug McDermott and more. Later, LLC Incorporated breaks down the best...
2015-11-0725 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 1b: Elfrid Payton, Hinkieball and the Cheating FanOn the debut of OTNB’s three banter segments (the A-A-RonBlock, LLC Incorporated and the J-Spot), the co-hosts react to theWarriors-Clippers media beef and opine on Jamal Crawford’s fit with theClippers’ retooled roster. Later, the panel praises Elfrid Payton’s dynamic young game, as it includes Orlando as a potential surprise team this season. TheStifle Tower, Rudy Gobert, gets some serious love on the show, and the merits of Sam Hinkie’s radical approach to team-building are debated. Finally, ifyou were going to cheat on your favorite NBA team, with which squad would itbe? Loren and Aaron provide interesting answers. ...
2015-10-1729 min
On the NBA BeatOn the NBA Beat Ep. 1a: Alex Kennedy Traverses the Loaded WestOn the very first episode, Aaron, Joshua and Loren are joined by Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders to talk about the many contenders out West, young players poised for breakout seasons and what in the world is going on with Jeremy Lin’s hair, among other general NBA topics. Spoiler alert: Alex likes the spikes. “The spikes are great.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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2015-10-1429 min