Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

Dan is joined by Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper), the resident GOAT at Indy Cornrows, to break down the short- and long-term future of the Indiana Pacers. How can Tyrese Haliburton take the next step? Is Isaiah Jackson a point guard now? Will Bennedict Mathurin play a big role in Year 1? Do we finally get a Myles Turner trade? Can Indiana defend without true wings? They touch on all this, construct a...

Dan is joined by Tara Bowen-Biggs (@tcbbiggs) from the We Have A Take Podcast (@wehaveatake) for a deeeeeeep dive into the 2022-23 Portland Trail Blazers. They discuss the team's biggest offseason additions in Jerami Grant and Gary Payton II, along with the extension and future for Damian Lillard. After that, they get into Anfernee Simons' development, the importance of Jusuf Nurkic, the rotation,...

Dan is joined by Konata Edwards (@NataTheScribe) from CBS Sports to break down the ins and outs of the 2022-23 Charlotte Hornets. They discuss the team's offseason, the next step for LaMelo Ball, how Steve Clifford will adapt his defense to Charlotte's offense, the importance of Cody Martin, roles for James Bouknight and Mark Williams, the value of Gordon Hayward and much, MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️...

Dan is joined by Managing Editor of The Kings Herald Greg Wissinger (@gwiss) to talk about—you guessed it—the 2022-23 Sacramento Kings. Is the Domantas Sabonis trade looking better? How's his fit with De'Aaron Fox? Was Keegan Murray the right draft pick? How will this team defend under head coach Mike Brown? What's the wing rotation look like? Is this squad rip for a trade? We get into it ALL...an...

Dan is joined by Justin Rowan (@Cavsanada) of The Chase Down podcast to dig deep into the 2022-23 Cleveland Cavaliers. They break down the Donovan Mitchel trade nearly one month later, envision what leaps look like for Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, tackle the issues on the wing, cobble together a 10-man rotation and MUCH more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:27 - How surprising was the Donovan Mitch...

Dan is joined by Derek James (@DerekJamesNBA), who covers the Minnesota Timberwolves for his Substack, By Derek James, to talk about—YOU GUESSED IT—the 2022-23 Minnesota Timberwolves. They get into everything from the Rudy Gobert trade and Anthony Edwards' next step to how this team will defend and the 10-man rotation. Plus...MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - Intro 3:25 - Offseason impressions 5:39 -...

Dan is joined by Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) from Detroit Bad Boys for a deeeeep dive into the 2022-23 Detroit Pistons. They discuss Cade Cunningham's next step, his fit with Jaden Ivey, expectations for Killian Hayes and Jalen Duren, the team's rotation, Marvin Bagley III's future, win-loss predictions and MUUUUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 4:15 - Offseason impressions 7:41 - Bojan Bogdanov...

Dan is joined by Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) from the Cash Considerations podcast as well as ClutchPoints, Blog A Bull and Forbes to discuss—you guessed it—the 2022-23 Chicago Bulls. Everything is on the table, including the Lonzo Ball injury, the development of Patrick Williams, the 10-man rotation, roster concerns, trade targets, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, the regression of Nikola Vucevic and MU...

Dan is joined by Ti Windisch (@tiwindisch) from the Gyro Step Podcast for a deeeep dive into the Milwaukee Bucks ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season. Are the Bucks still favorites in the East? Will Giannis Antetokounmpo keep getting better? When will Khris Middleton be healthy? What should we expect from Brook Lopez and Jrue Holiday? Will rookie MarJon Beauchamp play? They discuss all of this—AND MORE...

Dan is joined by Khobi Price (khobi_price) of the Orlando Sentinel for a deeeeeep dive into the 2022-23 Orlando Magic. They get into expectations for Paolo Banchero's rookie year, the importance of Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs trying to have a bounce-back season, lineups the team should try, the potential 10-man rotation, Jonathan Isaac's role and MUCH MORE! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:31 - Off...

Dan is joined by Lauren L. Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) of the AJC for a deeeeeep dive into the 2022-23 Atlanta Hawks. They discuss everything from the Dejounte Murray fit with and without Trae Young to the future of John Collins and De'Andre Hunter to the best crunch-time lineup and 10-man rotation and much more! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 4:53 - The Dejounte Murray fit 9:41 - Will Trae Young...

Dan is back from vacation and reacting to the latest and most important NBA news items. From Robert Sarver selling the Phoenix Suns to Dennis Schroder's fit on the Los Angeles Lakers to the impact of injuries to Lonzo Ball, Robert Williams III and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, we're running the news-item gamut. After that, we wrap up our NBA 'What If?!?' series with the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rocket...

Earlier this summer, Dan polled one expert who covers every NBA team about their biggest ‘What If?!?’ for the franchise. What follows is a mini-pod—a HIGHLY SNACKABLE audio version—of that mega project. Next up: The biggest ‘What If?!?’ moments for the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:15 - Atlanta Hawks 4:44 - Charlotte...

Earlier this summer, Dan polled one expert who covers every NBA team about their biggest ‘What If?!?’ for the franchise. What follows is a mini-pod—a HIGHLY SNACKABLE audio version—of that mega project. Next up: The biggest ‘What If?!?’ moments for the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:21 - Golden State Warriors 5...

Earlier this summer, Dan polled one expert who covers every NBA team about their biggest ‘What If?!?’ for the franchise. What follows is a mini-pod—a HIGHLY SNACKABLE audio version—of that mega project. Next up: The biggest ‘What If?!?’ moments for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:14 - Chicago Bulls 4:22 - Clev...

Earlier this summer, Dan polled one expert who covers every NBA team about their biggest ‘What If?!?’ for the franchise. What follows is a mini-pod—a HIGHLY SNACKABLE audio version—of that mega project. Next up: The biggest ‘What If?!?’ moments for the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:46 - Denver Nugget...

Dan reacts to the NBA suspending Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver for one year, fining him $10 million and forcing him to complete a program about proper workplace decorum. After that, it's onto our snackable 'What If?!?' series. Earlier this summer, Dan polled one expert who covers every NBA team about their biggest 'What If?!?' for the franchise. What follows is a mini-pod—an audio version—of th...

Dan is joined by none other than Adam Fromal (@fromal09) from NBA Math and Sportscasting to power rank every NBA starting backcourt ahead of the 2022-23 season. In Part 2, they'll begin with their 11TH ranked backcourt and work their way up to No. 1. Be sure to check out Part 1 HERE! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO/CRITERIA 3:07 - TIER 3 (Nos. 11-6) 20:01 - TIER 2 (Nos. 5-3) 30:52 - TIER 1 (Nos. 2...

Dan is joined by none other than Adam Fromal (@fromal09) from NBA Math and Sportscasting to power rank every NBA starting backcourt ahead of the 2022-23 season. In Part 1 of 2, they'll begin with their 30th ranked backcourt and work their way up to No. 12. Be sure to check out Part 2, which will go live on Tuesday, September 13! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO/CRITERIA 4:38 - TIER 6 (Nos. 30-26) 1...

Dan is joined by Salman Ali (@salmanalinba) from Red Nation Hoops (@RedNationHoops) to break down the short- and long-term future of the Houston Rockets. Chief among the topics discussed: Jabari Smith Jr.'s trajectory, expectations for Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr.' value, Alperen Sengun's place in the NBA, the Rockets' ability to shock the rest of the league, Houston's 10-man rotation and MUCH mo...

Dan is joined by Olivia Panchal (@olivianba), formerly of Daily Thunder, for an extensive discussion about the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Chet Holmgren injury, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, the future and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - Intro 2:39 - Chet Holmgren injury 4:55 - Impact of Chet's injury on timeline 6:11 - Outside perception of the Thunder's rebuild 10:16 - Does Shai Gilg...

In the latest mailbag, Dan tackles questions that cover Ben Simmons' future with the Brooklyn Nets, Russell Westbrook trades, Chet Holmgren's injury, the value of Collin Sexton, Anthony Edwards' next step, RJ Barrett's trajectory and so much more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:07 - PODCAST SCHEDULING NOTES 4:11 - Chet Holmgren/Victor Wembanyama 7:04 - Best Russell Westbrook trades 17:04 - Eval...

Dan is joined by Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) from Liberty Ballers and The NBA Podcast (@TheNBAPod) for a deeeep dive into the 2022-23 Philadelphia 76ers. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:46 - Offseason thoughts 7:12 - Is James Harden on the decline? 12:37 - Joel Embiid-James Harden partnership 14:28 - Two MVP candidates? 19:19 - Tyrese Maxey's development 28:50 - Paul Reed/Backup center rotation 33...

Dan goes through the latest ESPN NBA survey and reacts to who execs, coaches and scouts chose for their offseason and 2022-23 campaign superlatives. Who will be the best NBA player in five years? Who had the best offseason? What about the worst? Let's hop to it! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:21 - Who's the best player in the NBA entering the 2022-23 season? 3:30 - Who will be the best player in the...

Dan and Grant offer their instant, in-depth reaction to the Cleveland Cavaliers completing a Donovan Mitchell trade with the Utah Jazz. 0:30 - INTRO/Trade Details 2:17 - Are the Cavaliers now title contenders? 17:48 - Direction of the Jazz 33:27 - Where do the New York Knicks go from here? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TW...