Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

Dan is joined by Sharon Brown (@SharonShyBrown) of the Memphis Flyer for a fantastic and in-depth discussion about the Memphis Grizzlies ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation covers Ja Morant's development, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s future, Ziaire Williams' role as a rookie, the center rotation after trading Jonas Valanciunas for Steven Adams, Kyle Anderson's value, Desmond Bane's breakout...

Dan is joined by Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) from the In The N.O. podcast for an honest and thorough talk about the New Orleans Pelicans' present and future ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss New Orleans' somewhat controversial offseason, Zion Williamson's health, development and happiness, how the team will build out the rotation, Nickeil Alexander-Walker's ceiling, Trey Murphy III's fi...

Dan is joined by Derek James (@DerekJamesNBA), one of the smartest Minnesota Timberwolves insiders/analysts/writers around, to talk about—you guessed it!—the Minnesota Timberwolves in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss the Wolves' interest in Ben Simmons, Year 2 expectations for Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns' place in the superstar hierarchy, D'Angelo Russell's value and role, l...

Dan is joined by Greg Wissinger (@gwiss) from The Kings Herald for a deeeeeep dive into the Sacramento Kings ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation covers De'Aaron Fox's continued growth, Tyrese Haliburton's path to stardom, Davion Mitchell's fit, three-guard lineups, four-guard lineups, the wing rotation, Richaun Holmes, Buddy Hield, trade candidates and, yes, Ben Simmons—plus much m...

Dan is joined by Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares) from DNVR and the Locked On Nuggets podcast for an in-depth chat about the Denver Nuggets ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation covers Nikola Jokic's MVP defense, Jamal Murray's rehab, Michael Porter Jr.'s next step, rookie-year expectations for Bones Hyland, the importance of P.J. Dozier, the value of Aaron Gordon, the secondary frontcourt r...

Dan is joined by Sam Cooper (@scooperhoops) and Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) from The Timeline Podcast for a mega-ultra-super-deep dive into the Phoenix Suns ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation spans Devin Booker's next step, the fit of JaVale McGee and Landry Shamet, Mikal Bridges' heightened offensive role, Cam Johnson's development, Deandre Ayton's future, Chris Paul, lineup poss...

Dan is joined by Tony Jones (@TjonesontheNBA) for a deeeeep dive into the Utah Jazz ahead of 2021-22 NBA season. They talk urgency within the franchise, Rudy Gobert's value, Donovan Mitchell's next step, the wing defense, the rotation, Jared Butler, regression candidates and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:00 - Intro 🔘 3:56 - Urgency in Utah? 🔘 7:25 - Regression candidates 🔘 9:59 - The Rudy Gobert...

Dan is joined by Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) from The NBA Podcast and Forbes to discuss all things Philadelphia 76ers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They tackle the Ben Simmons situation and potential trade destinations, Tyrese Maxey's development, Ben Simmons, the importance of Seth Curry and Tobias Harris, Ben Simmons, Philly's defense without Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, lineup possib...

Dan is joined by Jabari Ali Davis (@JabariDavisNBA) from the Never Meet Your Heroes and The Baseline podcasts for a deeeeep dive into the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss the LeBron James-Russell Westbrook fit, Anthony Davis-at-the-5, the potential for a defensive drop-off, rounding out the rest of the rotation, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, floor...

Dan is joined by Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) from the New York Daily News and Uninterrupted's Certified Buckets show for a deeeeep dive into the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their discussion covers the Kyrie Irving situation, how his absence would impact the team, the workload of James Harden and Kevin Durant, the center rotation, a dearth of wings, the team's defense, the b...

Dan is joined by Justin Rowan (@Cavsanada) from The Chase Down podcast to cannonball, nosedive and belly flop into all things Cleveland Cavaliers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss Darius Garland's next frontier, the additions Ricky Rubio and Lauri Markkanen, the frontcourt pairing of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Collin Sexton's future, Isaac Okoro's development, the Kevin Love awkwar...

Dan is joined by Paul Garcia (@PaulGarciaNBA) from Project Spurs to discuss all things San Antonio Spurs ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They cover San Antonio's overall direction, Dejounte Murray's development, the playmaking rotation, Josh Primo, Keldon Johnson's potential for improvement, Lonnie Walker IV's future, Devin Vassell's role, Thaddeus Young's value, lineup possibilities, the Ben Sim...

Dan is joined by Quinton Mayo (@RealQuintonMayo) of BetMGM, Audacy and Blue Wire Pods for a deeeeeep dive into the Washington Wizards ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They talk Bradley Beal's future, Daniel Gafford's development, Rui Hachimura's absence from training camp and prospective role, the Russell Westbrook trade, Spencer Dinwiddie's fit, the importance of Deni Avdija, the frontcourt rotat...

Dan is joined by Tara Bowen-Biggs (@tcbbiggs) from the We Have A Take podcast for a deeeeeep dive into the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. We discuss Damian Lillard's future, CJ McCollum's value, Jusuf Nurkic's areas of improvement, Larry Nance Jr.'s fit, the development of Nassir Little and Anfernee Simons, which new additions will have the biggest impact, defensive concer...

Dan is joined by Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) from SB Nation's Detroit Bad Boys and Blue Wire's Pistons vs. Everybody podcast for a wildly, and enjoyably, thorough deep dive into the Detroit Pistons in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Jerami Grant, Kelly Olynyk, the secondary rotation, Saben Lee, the Sekou Doumboya trade, Detroit's overall direction,...

Dan is joined by Sabreena Merchant (@sabreenajm) from SB Nation and The Step Through podcast for a mega-ultra-super deep dive into the LA Clippers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They talk Kawhi Leonard's future and health, Paul George's MVP viability, Eric Bledsoe's fit, the center rotation, potential lineups, Luke Kennard's role, the flier on Justise Winslow, Ivica Zubac's defense, playing smal...

Dan is joined by Yasmin Duale (@carmelodrama) from the Dishes & Dimes podcast to cannonball into all things Toronto Raptors in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. They talk Pascal Siakam's health and role, Fred VanVleet's room for improvement, OG Anunoby emerging as a star, the center rotation, Goran Dragic's fit, fringe roster spots, Malachi Flynn's development, Scottie Barnes' rookie expectat...

Dan is joined by Dalton Trigg (@Dalton_Trigg) of the Mavs Step Back podcast to break down all things Dallas Mavericks in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss Luka Doncic's next step, Kristaps Porzingis' role, the frontcourt rotation, Jalen Brunson, offseason additions like Reggie Bullock and Sterling Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr.'s importance, lineups to look out for, trade candidates, trade...

Dan is joined by Alex Kungu (@Kungu_NBA) from Hoops Island for a deeeeeep dive into the Boston Celtics ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. We're talking Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Dennis Schroder, Al Horford, Robert Williams III, Josh Richardson, Aaron Nesmith, Payton Pritchard, potential lineups, trade candidates and soooooo much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:54 - Intro 🔘 3:30 - Takeaways...

Dan is joined by Olivia Panchal (@olivianba) from Daily Thunder's Crossbolts podcast to break down the long-term trajectory and current expectations for the Oklahoma City Thunder in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. We talk Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, tanking, trade candidates and much, much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 0:00 - Intro 🔘 3:40 - Shai Gilgeous-Ale...

Dan is joined by Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) from the Gyro Step Podcast to discuss the immediate and long-term outlook of the REIGNING CHAMPION Milwaukee Bucks in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. From Giannis Antetokounmpo's next step and Mike Budenholzer's improvement, to the importance of Bobby Portis and Donte DiVincenzo, to prospective weaknesses and trade candidates, we cover it all! TIMESTAM...

Dan is joined by Konata Edwards (@NataTheScribe) from the Locked On Hornets podcast to discuss the ins, outs and diagonals of—you guessed it!—the Charlotte Hornets ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. We cover LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier's extension and his on-court value, potential trade targets, James Bouknight's development, the center rotation, Miles Bridges' future, P.J. Washington's defense and so...

Dan is joined by the world-famous Caitlin Cooper (C2_Cooper) from Indy Corn Rows and FiveThirtyEight to cannonball into all things Indiana Pacers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. From Rick Carlisle's impact on the offense and the frontcourt rotation, to Caris LeVert and T.J. Warren, to quirky lineups and potential trade candidates, we cover everything you can imagine—and then some. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️...

Dan speaks with Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about everything and anything Atlanta Hawks in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. From Trae Young and John Collins, to De'Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish, to potential trades and Jalen Johnson-at-the-5, we cover it all. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Intro/Puppies! (00:00) 🔘 Impressions of the Hawks offseason (6:29) 🔘 Trae You...

Dan is joined by Sam Esfandiari (@samesfandiari) of the Light Years Podcast to for an in-depth chat about the Golden State Warriors heading into the 2021-22 NBA season—and beyond. They cover everything from Ben Simmons trade rumors and Stephen Curry's performance, to the availability of Klay Thompson and James Wiseman, to the frontcourt rotation, Draymond Green-at-the-5 and season predictions. TIM...