Shows
JDebatesAnalyzing EVERYTHING About the NBA’s Opening NightFrom the reigning champs kicking off the season with a DOMINANT victory on ring night, to history being made by LeBron and his son Bronny. We will discuss ALL of the most important occurrences that went down on opening night!2024-10-2328 min
JDebatesRanking the top 5 NBA Teams Going into the 24-25 Season.Throughout the summer, a handful of signings and trades took place with some relatively big names changing locations in the offseason. High level performers such as Paul George, Demar Derozen, Klay Thompson, Karl Anthony-Towns, Dejounte Murray, and Mikal Bridges, ALL joined new NBA teams. Now that the chaos of the offseason is over and teams are zoning in on competing with their assembled rosters, we can evaluate which of these 30 pro teams have the best chances at championship contention.2024-10-2212 min
JDebatesShould Lonzo Ball Retire?26 year old former high school sensation Lonzo Ball, has had 1 of the most unfortunate NBA careers ever. With the multiple sustained injuries and surgeries that are known to be career ending, and with no clear sign YET that Lonzo will be ready to go at the start of next season, should Lonzo Ball consider hanging it up? Let’s look at the yes and no reasons, and decide.2024-10-2209 min
JDebatesShould Derrick Rose Make the Hall of Fame Upon Retirement?35 year old Chicago native Derrick Rose had a HELL of a start to his career in his early years in the league, before his career was plagued by major leg injuries. These injuries robbed us all of witnessing a VERY promising career and more importantly, potentially robbed Derrick Rose of achieving historic accolades. Though injuries would essentially ruin Rose’s career, in the short time span that Rose WAS healthy, he DID achieve some noteworthy accolades that few others in league history have. Despite these accomplishments though, credible NBA site Basketball Reference, has listed Rose’s hall of fame prob...2024-10-2209 min
JDebatesIs Jayson Tatum Overhated?Throughout his young career, Jayson Tatum has ALREADY made the NBA playoffs SEVEN TIMES, including 2 trips to the NBA finals and 1 NBA Championship. He’s made this impressive run all while being arguably the best player on his Celtics team and undoubtedly a top 2 player. From his league entry in 2017 until now, Tatum is 1 of only SIX active players to average at least 23 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists per game over that span. When a player’s value and greatness are assessed, it’s typically based on statistical performance and winning ability. Considering Tatum averaged an admirable 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assist...2024-10-2218 min
JDebatesDirk Nowitzki Vs Kevin Garnett: Who’s the Greater Player All Time?Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki, 2 top 5 ALL TIME power forwards have often been compared to each other throughout their careers. Though their play styles were entirely different, their impact on the game was VERY close, some might even say equal. I mean these 2 played the same amount of seasons, won the same amount of rings, and even won the same amount of MVP awards. On ESPN’s top 50 NBA players of all time list, KG is placed at #20, while Dirk is #19, just 1 spot ahead of ‘the big ticket.’ Is ESPN right in their placement of these 2 legends, or is KG in...2024-09-2923 min
JDebatesQ & A Session- Answering Your Questions.This episode is dedicated to answering some of the best questions I’ve been sent so far. You can send in your questions by emailing jdebates1@yahoo.com, jd3bates1@gmail.com or dm’ing jdebates1 on Instagram. 2024-08-2215 min
JDebatesCould LeBron James and Stephen Curry Win a Championship Together at this Point in their Careers?39 year old LeBron James, and 36 year old Stephen Curry have been among the best EVER to play the game throughout their careers. However as I just mentioned their ages, theoretically, their careers should be winding down soon, although there hasn’t been many signs of it, due to both of them continuing to display their greatness, despite their relatively old ages for being NBA pros. Last season, LeBron’s lakers were eliminated in round 1 of the NBA Playoffs by their rivals the Denver Nuggets, while Steph’s Warriors failed to make the playoffs altogether after a 24 point loss in the play i...2024-08-1822 min
JDebatesNaming the Rap Equivalents of NBA Players Part 2With every NBA star, there is a hip hop star who mirrors their success, a hip hop equal. Some comparisons are shockingly close, despite the different career paths. Let’s see who resembles who the most between the NBA and rap world.2024-08-1708 min
JDebatesNaming the Rap Equivalents of NBA PlayersWith every NBA star, there is a hip hop star who mirrors their success, a hip hop equal. Some comparisons are shockingly close, despite the different career paths. Let’s see who resembles who the most between the NBA and rap world. 2024-08-1117 min
JDebatesRedrafting the Top 10 Picks of the 2003 NBA DraftFor episode 36, we will be REDRAFTING the top 10 picks of 2003 NBA Draft. This is without a doubt, 1 of THE BEST draft classes of all time. This draft contains TWENTY SIX total championships won combining all the players, and what will be FOUR hall of famers, once LeBron retires. Though these 4 are the BIG names of this draft that everyone remembers, their greatness does overshadow the remaining talent, as it wasn’t just these guys who had good NBA careers. There was a LOT of talent, it just wasn’t seen initially. While some players drafted in the top 10 had NO B...2024-08-0614 min
JDebatesDid We Overrate Zion Williamson4 year pro and former high school sensation, Zion Williamson, received UNREAL levels of praise and nationwide attention during his school and college days. Even at age 16, he was ALREADY being labeled as the next LeBron. With his 6’6 height, almost 300 pound body, and FORTY FIVE inch VERTICAL, he was IMPOSSIBLE to miss on his journey to becoming a pro. Once he got to the league though, despite averaging at least 22 points and 6 rebounds every season, for some reason his name isn’t ringing the bells that most of us thought it would. Has Zion failed to perform at the NBA leve...2024-08-0514 min
JDebatesShould Stephen Curry Leave the Warriors4 time nba champion and top 2 all time point guard Steph curry, is nearing the end of his career on a Warriors team that is 3rd OLDEST in the entire league, and has entered rebuild mode after failing to pick up Paul George, or any other star player in the offseason. They also lost their 13 year veteran, and 5 time all star, Klay Thompson. With Thompson gone, Steph has already spoke on his disappointment and it not fully kicking in yet. Despite the warriors adding the sharpshooting Buddy Hield, he clearly will not replace a player who was a HUGE piece...2024-08-0412 min
JDebatesRanking the Top 5 Point Guards for the 24-25 SeasonThe NBA has NO shortage of talent at the point guard position. EVERY POINT GUARD in the top 5 for ppg In the 23-24 season, averaged at LEAST 26 ppg. Also, in the 2024 all star game, SEVEN POINT GUARDS were Named all stars, almost a 3rd of all total participants. With all this talent at 1 position, it’s not the easiest task to rank these players, but that’s what I’m here to do. Now, in this episode, we will rank the point guards based on the COMBINATION of their individual performances and winning ability, with neither category being more import...2024-08-0318 min
JDebatesJames Harden vs Dwyane Wade: Who is the 3rd Greatest Shooting Guard of all Time?NBA champion and hall of famer, Dwyane Wade is widely believed to be the 3rd greatest shooting guard EVER behind Kobe and Jordan. His long list of accolades which include multiple championships validate these beliefs. James Harden on the other hand, made HIS way into this convo after stacking up some historical seasons statistically, and overall just going on a RIDICULOUS scoring AND passing run for over a decade. Just a few months ago we saw retired nba player and former all star, Jeff Teague say that Harden WAS in fact better than Wade. This statement led to a bit...2024-07-3020 min
JDebatesWill the Spurs Make the Playoffs in the 24-25 Season?The 5th most successful team in NBA history, the San Antonio Spurs have been ANYTHING BUT successful in recent seasons. The Spurs are currently on a 5 year playoff drought, AND 5 year streak of being under 500. Despite another horrendous year under their belt in the 23-24 season, things are starting to look brighter for this franchise. They last year, they drafted generational talent, Victor Wembanyama. Among other added talents, Wemby was by far the most notable. In Wemby’s 1st year with the spurs he put up ridiculous stats relative to the minutes he played per game. He’s undoubtedly expected to h...2024-07-2817 min
JDebatesRanking the Top 10 Duos in the NBAFor episode 30, we will be ranking the top 10 duos in the NBA. The NBA has a LOT of great 1-2 punches that are typically superstars paired with supporting stars. Think Luka and Kyrie, bron and AD, Giannis and Dame and also, a duo in Boston that won the 2024 championship that go by the names of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen brown. Currently, there are much more duos in the NBA than big 3, which are teams that consist of THREE stars. Last season, these talented duos throughout the league torched the nba in nearly every way imaginable, and 2 of them even met...2024-07-2624 min
JDebatesRanking the Top 10 Draft Picks So Far in the Summer LeagueFor episode 29 we will rank the top 10 picks SO FAR in the summer league. I must say, these new pros are mostly balling so far for a draft that’s supposed to be 1 of the worst in a while. I get it’s summer league, I get it’s diminished competition, but STILL, I’d be lying if I said these guys HAVENT exceeded my expectations. Now I did an episode where I gave a scouting report on each of the top 10 picks, so now let’s see how they’re doing, and re-rank them based on their performances. Let get into it.2024-07-2424 min
JDebatesRanking the top 5 MOST Improved Teams this OffseasonThis NBA offseason, like every other 1, was hectic and contained a lot of big changes, including 13 year pro veteran Klay Thompson leaving the Warriors and joining a new team for the 1st time in his career, the Knicks trading an arm and a leg to pick up Mikal Bridges, the kings getting Demar Derozen, the Pelicans trading for Dejounte Murray, and of course, the 76ers signing Paul George. Therefore, let’s compare each team’s most notable pick up, and make a decision.2024-07-2017 min
JDebatesIs Bronny an NBA Level PlayerLakers guard and 55th overall pick, Lebron James jr. Aka Bronny, has been 1 of THE hottest topics lately regarding NBA basketball. Unfortunately for him though, most convos involving Bronny, is negative. Most notably, NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown was seen allegedly saying, “I don’t think Bronny is a pro.” He also allegedly disagreed with the woman he was talking to after she said he’d likely end up on the G League with his alleged response being “because of his name, he’ll be on the lakers.” If brown did actually say all those things, he basically said what a LOT of other...2024-07-1711 min
JDebatesWho is the GOAT Point GuardWhile there are several notable all time greats at this position, there are 2 players that have been pretty much neck and neck in terms of greatness, and that #1 all time spot. The 2 players I’m talking about are Magic Johnson and Stephen Curry. These 2 both transcended the game in their own unique ways, with magic being 1 of the 1st, if not the 1st ever point guard at the rare height of 6’9. This may not be rare in today’s game, but back then, it was unheard of, in fact, when magic 1st entered the league, the average height of a point...2024-07-1625 min
JDebatesIs Chris Paul a Top 5 Point Guard of all Time?19 year pro and future hall of famer, Chris Paul is typically brought up in the greatest point guards of all time conversation, and rightfully so. The man’s a 12 time all star, 11 time all-nba player, and 9 time all defensive player. He’s played a majority of his 19 seasons as a top guard in the league and is really just now starting to decline. CP3 has obviously achieved a lot of accolades as well as longevity throughout his career. Does his achievements and long run grant him a top 5 spot all time for point guards? Let’s look at the yes, and th...2024-07-1026 min
JDebatesWho Deserved Defensive Player of the Year for the 23-24 Season? Was Wemby Robbed?The defensive player of the year award is decided by 124 NBA media members, who vote on who they believe deserves it. This award is supposed to be given to the best defensive player of the regular season, and that is allegedly determined based on a players defensive rating, defensive impact on their team, and defensive stats such as blocks and steals. This same criteria is what I will be basing my decision on at the end. One of the issues people have with this award, however, is that it’s decided by OVER 100 people. This potentially does leave more room fo...2024-07-0820 min
JDebatesWhich Team Should Demar Derozen go to?The 34 year old nba vet and 6 time all star has yet to sign with an NBA team as of 7/4. He’s coming off of a 24 point, 4 rebound, 5 assist, and 1 steal per game season. These are definitely productive numbers for the 3 time all-nba player and attractive numbers to any team on paper, yet Derozen has yet to land a team thus far, 5 days into free agency. Derozen is seeking a long term deal despite, being 34 and nearing the of his career, being under 30% from 3 for his career and just over 30% from 3 this season, and having an outdated offensive game centered around si...2024-07-0521 min
JDebatesIs Tobias Harris a good fit for the Detroit Pistons?For the 2nd time in his career, Tobias Harris will join the Detroit Pistons. This past postseason, Harris has caught a lot of flak for his recent playoff performance, as well as his inability to compliment Joel Embiid on the 76ers despite probably being the highest paid role player ever, and the pistons have caught a lot of flak for their failure to bring talent to Detroit over the years and properly rebuild. Even in this offseason, the pistons had the highest amount of cap space in the league, and have yet to land a star. Looking at their roster...2024-07-0318 min
JDebatesIs Klay Thompson a Good Fit for the Mavericks? Is he Washed?On July 1st nba vet and 4-time champion, Klay Thompson agreed to sign to the Dallas mavericks on a 3 year, $50M deal. This signing made headlines around the nba media because it is the 1st time in his 11 year career playing with a new team. Thompson was part of the Golden State Warriors dynasty that won 4 championships in a span of 7 years, and recorded the best regular season record in NBA history at 73-9. In his last season with the warriors, Thompson was less than efficient and due to this, saw his 3rd lowest playing time on average in his 11...2024-07-0213 min
JDebatesIs JB Bickerstaff a Good Fit for the Pistons?JB Bickerstaff is set to become the new head coach of the Detroit pistons. The Pistons recently fired coach, Monty Williams after playing just 1 season under Williams and finishing with the worst record in the league and franchise history, 14-68. Detroit also fired general manager Troy Weaver around the same time period they got rid of Williams. Since the beginning of the Piston rebuild in 2010, the franchise has now had a total of 8 coaches in 14 years adding in Bickerstaff. This tied for the 3rd most head coaches in the league since the period. Will JB Bickerstaff be the coach to...2024-07-0218 min
JDebatesWhich team Won the NBA draft? Who had the Best top 10 Pick?Through June 26th & 27th, the 2024 NBA draft took place in Brooklyn, New York. Despite the lack of talent present in this draft, a handful of players picked in the top 10 have impressive potential that could be capitalized on in the NBA. Join me, while I analyze, scout, grade and determine which of these 10 top picks has the best chance at being the best player from this draft.2024-06-3035 min
JDebatesWho Won the Dejounte Murray Trade?Former all star and all-defensive player Dejounte Murray was traded from the hawks to the pelicans in exchange for Larry Nace Jr., Dyson Daniels, a 2025 1st round pick swap and a 2027 1st round pick swap. Thus far, the narrative is that the Hawks got robbed and that they traded their 2nd best player for a bag of chips, but of course not everybody feels this way. Some people are valuing the picks the hawks got in return as well as the players considering the hawks gave up 1 player for 2 players and 2 picks. So, with that being said, let’s look at...2024-06-2916 min
JDebatesWhich Team Won the Mikal Bridges Trade?Before the NBA draft kicked off, a near blockbuster trade took place involving the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. The nets agreed to send Bridges to the Knicks in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic, 4 unprotected 1st round picks, a protected 1st round pick, an unprotected pick swap and a second round pick. The general consensus has been that the Knicks were robbed, played etc., but on the other hand, some fans and analysts are seeing how dangerous the Knicks will potentially be next season with bridges on their roster. Through this trade, the Knicks obviously got better as a team...2024-06-2719 min
JDebatesWhich Team Should Paul George Sign To?NBA star and veteran player, Paul George has until this Friday so only 4 days including to today either opt in or out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent. Assuming PG does end up a free agent this offseason, he will be the best player available. There are multiple teams rumored to be in pursuit of George, but very few have realistic chances. Therefore, let’s look at the most likely destinations for the 9 time All-star and decide which team gives him the best shot at winning a championship.2024-06-2621 min
JDebatesWho Really Deserved MVP of the regular season?This season’s MVP award was given to Nikola Jokic, making it now his 3rd MVP award, with him winning the award in 3 of the last 4 years. This win however, was controversial considering who all was in the conversation for the award
Those players being Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokoumpo, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic himself
ALL of these players listed had VERY strong cases for winning MVP this season, but ultimately the award can only be given to 1 player. Therefore, let’s look at each of the players’ cases for MVP including the winner himself, Nikola Jokic...2024-06-2526 min
JDebatesWere the Pistons Wrong for Firing Coach Monty Williams?Recently, the Detroit Pistons have just fired head coach Monty Williams. Before joining the Pistons, Williams won coach of the year award and made a trip to the finals with the Phoenix Suns. However, while coaching the Pistons, the team recorded their worst record ever under coach Williams. Were the Pistons in the right for firing Williams? Let’s find out.2024-06-2220 min
JDebatesWho won the Caruso-Giddey Trade?In the first trade of the NBA off-season, we see young NBA player Josh Giddey get traded to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for seasoned vet Alex Caruso. Join me while I compare the two players and how they will fit their new team to decide who really won the trade.2024-06-2121 min
JDebatesWas Jayson Tatum Robbed of Winning Finals MVP?After game 5’s championship victory, Jaylen brown has now won both the eastern conference finals MVP and the NBA finals MVP over Jayson Tatum
Both of these MVP wins over his team’s ‘supposed to be’ franchise player were controversial with many NBA fans suspecting that Tatum had been robbed for both awards. Is this truly the case? Let’s look at each players case for winning finals MVP and find out.2024-06-1922 min
JDebatesWho will win game 5 of the NBA FinalsWith the Dallas Mavericks coming off of a nearly 40 point victory over the Celtics, can they now carry that momentum into Boston where they have yet to win a game? Or will Boston’s home crowd, overall team depth and two stars be too much to overcome?2024-06-1819 min
JDebatesWho will win Game 4 of the NBA Finals?With the stakes as high as they could possibly be for the Dallas Mavericks they are now in a win or go home situation. Considering this, the Celtics on the other hand, would love to close out the Mavericks in 4 & avoid going back home to Boston to play a necessary game five. Who wins this contest? Let’s take a look at both teams’ cases & come to a decision.2024-06-1416 min
JDebatesIs Luka Doncic Disappearing in the 4th Quarters of the Finals?NBA superstar Luka Doncic had a near MVP winning season and has brought that high level of play into the playoffs. However, on the game’s biggest stage Luka has now been showing signs of fatigue and frustration. This has occurred most noticeably late in these important NBA finals games. Is Luka truly vanishing in these 4th quarters, or is it just another false narrative derived by the media?2024-06-1421 min
JDebatesWho will win Game 3 of the NBA Finals?Being down 0-2, the Mavs have a chance to regain life in this series with a much-needed win back home in Dallas. However, the undefeated Celtics can smell blood in the water & will desperately seek to try & get a commanding 3-0 lead in this finals. With both team having their share of advantages and disadvantages, facing one another, in the end we look at who has the better advantage overall and winning this crucial game 3.2024-06-1324 min
JDebatesIs Kyrie Irving to Blame for the Mavs Being Down 0-2?NBA star Kyrie Irving has been on a tear for much of the 2024 NBA playoffs. However, on the biggest stage Kyrie has now started to struggle in his 1st 2 games of the NBA finals. During his struggles, the Dallas Mavericks have lost both games. Is Kyrie to blame for these 2 losses, or considering the basketball is a team sport should the Mavs have done more in games 1 & 2 to accommodate for his current slump?2024-06-1018 min
JDebatesJayson Tatum Vs Jaylen Brown: Who has Been Better in the Playoffs?While, the Boston Celtics #1 option & go to guy Jayson Tatum has always been seen as the franchise player, as of recently he has seemingly been getting outshined by Jaelyn Brown due to Brown’s amazing performances as of late. Was Brown’s eastern conference MVP win over Tatum and Jason Kidd’s statement about Brown being better an indicator of something true, or is it simply just a result of recency bias?2024-06-0929 min
JDebatesWho will Win the 2024 NBA Championship?It all comes down to this. Two teams with a bit of bad blood against each other will now face off in a best of seven series for the championship. Can Luka and Kyrie lead their Dallas team to their first championship in over a decade or is the overall depth and skill level of this dominant 64 win Boston team too much to overcome.2024-06-0635 min
JDebatesWas Lebron James Wrong for Leaving Cleveland in 2010In one of the most controversial free agency signings the league has ever seen, superstar LeBron James announced on live television, that he was leaving his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio to pair up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh down in Miami. Since making this decision, it has left a lingering affect on both his legacy and the overall fan morale. Some hate him to this day for making this decision while others believe that he was justified in leaving Cleveland. Join me I’ll discuss both sides before ultimately forming a conclusion.2024-06-0559 min
JDebatesKobe Bryant Vs Tim Duncan: Who had the Greater Career?While, NBA legend Kobe Bryant is often regarded as a top three NBA player of all time due to his amazing career mixed with media adoration, Tim Duncan on the other hand is pretty much underappreciated and ignored by the media despite also having one of the greatest careers in NBA history. A deep dive into both of these careers show that these two individuals are VERY close in terms of greatness. Join me while I investigate who truly had the better career between the two.2024-06-0251 min
JDebatesIs Kevin Durant the Weakest Superstar EVER?With all of KD’s controversial moves, including his trip to the bay & forming other super teams along the way, do NBA fans have a valid point when stating this opinion or is it being voiced out of distaste?2024-05-2041 min
JDebatesDo Players Like Russell Westbrook & Kyrie Irving get the Respect they Deserve?With cancel culture being a common trend in today’s world involving the media, a lot of star NBA players can fall victim & have negative associations attached to their name. Do these negative attachments undermine their achievements?2024-05-2046 min
JDebatesEpisode 1: New Vs Old Generation- Which was More Skilled?While some consider the 90s & early 2000s the best basketball generation ever, others consider today’s generation to be the golden age of NBA basketball. Join me as I explore both sides of the argument, before coming to a critically thought out conclusion.2024-05-1758 min
JDebatesJDebates (Trailer)2024-05-1700 min