Hoopsology

The Drew League is more than just a summer pro-am — it’s the heartbeat of basketball culture. In this exclusive Hoopsology Podcast interview, Drew League Commissioner Chaniel Smiley breaks down the league’s rich history, its deep roots in South LA, and why some of the biggest NBA superstars continue to show up year after year. From LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving, to elit...

*Recorded on December 23rd, 2025* Does the NBA own Christmas Day? — We’re breaking down every single matchup. In this episode of In the Lab on Hoopsology, Justin Goodrum, Matt Thomas, and Alan Muenzler preview the entire NBA Christmas Day slate, rank the games, and discuss the biggest storylines heading into the holiday showcase. We dive into LeBron James’ comments about playing on Christmas, the...

In this Hoopsology Podcast highlight, we’re joined by Danny Cunningham (Locked On Cavs) for an honest, nuanced conversation about LeBron James’ legacy, his standing with Cavaliers fans, and whether a potential return to Cleveland would even make sense. LeBron delivered Cleveland’s first championship since 1964, cementing arguably the greatest moment in franchise history. Yet despite the iconic 201...

The legendary voice behind NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, MLB Slugfest, and Mutant Football League 2 joins the Hoopsology Podcast. Tim Kitzrow — forever known as the man who made “BOOMSHAKALAKA!” part of basketball culture — sits down for an in-depth conversation about his iconic career, the creation of NBA Jam’s most famous catchphrases, and why arcade-style sports games still matter today. In this episode,...

*Recorded September 17th* Basketball culture starts in New York City, and few people embody that legacy like God Shammgod. On this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, God Shammgod joins us for a powerful conversation about Rucker Park, NYC streetball, and how New York guards shaped the modern NBA. From witnessing legends at Harlem’s most famous courts to influencing today’s positionless, five-out o...

In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we sit down with Danny Cunningham, host of LockedOnCavs and contributor for 92.3 The Fan, to break down everything happening with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. The Cavs sit at a crossroads: Donovan Mitchell is playing at an MVP-level, possibly the best basketball of his career. The shooting has crashed, despite generating high-quality looks. Max St...

In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we welcome back writer and author Jake Uitti to break down his new book Coop: The Making of a Showtime Lakers Legend — the definitive biography of Los Angeles Lakers icon Michael Cooper. Cooper won five championships, became one of the NBA’s most feared defenders, helped fuel the legendary Lakers–Celtics rivalry, coached the WNBA’s LA Sparks to multiple t...

Welcome back to In The Lab with the Hoopsology Podcast! In this episode, Matt and Allan break down one of the wildest weeks of the NBA season so far — from the Clippers sending Chris Paul home, to shocking media takes comparing Nikola Jokic, Tim Duncan, and Kobe Bryant, to Dillon Brooks’ incredible redemption arc, and all the surprising NBA storylines from the quarter-season mark. We dive deep int...

Canada has become one of the fastest-growing basketball countries in the world—but how did this transformation actually happen? In this fascinating interview, we sit down with Oren Weisfeld, author of The Golden Generation: How Canada Became a Basketball Powerhouse, to break down the people, moments, and cultural shifts that sparked a national basketball revolution. We explore the rise of Canadian...

In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we sit down with David Borges, author of Hurley’s Heroes: UConn’s Return to College Basketball’s Elite and longtime UConn men’s basketball beat reporter. David takes us inside the rise of Dan Hurley, the rebuilding of UConn basketball, and the program’s return to dominance — including back-to-back national championships and last season’s push for a histor...

In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we dive deep into the business of basketball with Sportico’s sports valuations reporter Kurt Badenhausen. If you want to understand why the NBA is projecting $14.3 billion in revenue, how the new $76 billion media rights deal works, and what the future of NBA team valuations looks like, this is a must-watch conversation. Kurt breaks down how the NBA’s mas...

Welcome back to another episode of In the Lab on the Hoopsology Podcast! In this extended NBA breakdown, Justin Goodrum, Matt Thomas, and Alan Muenzler dive DEEP into one of the biggest stories of the season—Chris Paul announcing that he will retire at the end of the year. We break down: 🎖️ Chris Paul’s legacy, his impact on multiple franchises, and whether he’s a top-5 point guard all time 🧠 How...

In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we sit down with Allie Clifton — NBA sideline reporter for Amazon Prime, studio host for Spectrum SportsNet, and co-host of the hit show Road Trippin’. Allie delivers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 Los Angeles Lakers, the state of NBA media, and what fans don’t see when it comes to the lives and pressures of NBA players. Allie shares how she b...

In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Walton, Timberwolves reporter for Zone Coverage Minnesota, to break down every major storyline around the most fascinating team in the NBA this season. We dive into: 🏀 Why the Timberwolves’ identity has flipped — from a defense-first team to a top-tier offensive squad. 🏀 Anthony Edwards’ evolution as a primary playmaker and whether he can realistically e...

Join us for a deep dive into one of the NBA’s most intriguing franchises — the Utah Jazz — as Allan and Matt welcome Eric Spyropoulos, digital writer for the Jazz, to break down the state of the team, the rebuild, the young core, Lauri Markkanen’s resurgence, Ace Bailey’s development, and how Utah compares to other rebuild success stories like OKC, Houston, and Detroit. We explore whether the Jazz...

In this episode of Hoopsology Podcast, Matt and Allan welcome back Danielle Lerner, Houston Chronicle’s Rockets beat writer, to break down the state of Houston basketball and the Rockets’ resurgence. We cover everything from: The buzz around Kevin Durant’s arrival in Houston How Ime Udoka’s leadership has reshaped the team culture Alperen Sengun’s development and his evolving role as a leader The...

In this episode of Hoopsology, we welcome New York Times bestselling author Shea Serrano, who joins us to discuss his latest book, Expensive Basketball — a unique and heartfelt exploration of why fans truly love the game. Shea breaks down the emotion behind basketball — why we remember Michael Jordan’s flu game or Kobe Bryant’s mentality more than any stat line. He explains how feelings, heartbrea...

In this episode of Hoopsology, we sit down with Jim Bachman, the voice of Villanova basketball and the BIG3, to pull back the curtain on one of basketball’s most fascinating careers. From calling games for Jay Wright’s championship Wildcats to announcing for Ice Cube’s revolutionary BIG3 league, Jim shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories about basketball’s past, present, and future. You’ll he...

In this episode of Hoopsology, hosts dive deep into the incredible 30-year journey of the Toronto Raptors with Eric Smith, longtime Raptors broadcaster, and Andrew Bricker, co-authors of We the Raptors. 🏀 About the Episode: Eric and Andrew share the untold stories behind the Raptors’ rise — from the early days of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady to the 2019 championship run and the team’s enduring...

In this episode of Hoopsology, hosts Justin and Alan welcome back Portland Trail Blazers insider Danny Marang (Rip City Wrap-Up, 1080 The Fan, KATU Portland) to break down the fallout from the Chauncey Billups FBI gambling investigation and what it means for the future of the league. Marang takes us inside the story — revealing how he first heard about the news, the emotional reaction in Portland,...

In this episode of Hoopsology, hosts Justin Goodrum and Matt Thomas sit down with Michael Grange — journalist, NBA analyst, and author of Basketball Now: The Inside Stories of the Brightest Stars of the NBA. Grange takes us inside his new book and shares his insights on the current state of the league, the rise of Canadian basketball, and why this era of the NBA might be the most talented in histo...

In this episode of Hoopsology's ITL, the crew dives deep into the NBA’s biggest stories, including: 🔥 LeBron & Lakers Drama — Sports journalist Yaron Weitzman’s new book A Hollywood Ending sparks controversy in Los Angeles, exposing tension between LeBron James and the Lakers’ front office. The Hoopsology hosts discuss the fallout, potential lawsuits, and how the book shapes LeBron’s legacy. 💰 W...

In this episode of Hoopsology Podcast, we sit down with Yaron Weitzman, acclaimed NBA writer and author of A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers. Weitzman gives us a deep dive into the truth behind LeBron James’ tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers — from his arrival in 2018 to the present-day uncertainty surrounding his future. You’ll hear fascinating insights about: 🏀 Why...

In this episode of Hoopsology, we sit down with Lauren Williams, who covers the Atlanta Hawks for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, to discuss the team’s early 2025–26 season outlook. Lauren gives us insider insight on: 🏀 How Trae Young is evolving as a leader and setting expectations for a deep playoff run. 💪 What the Hawks’ new additions — including Kristaps Porziņģis, Luke Kennard, and Nickei...

The New York Knicks are officially back in the spotlight — and the city is buzzing. 🎙️ In this episode of Hoopsology, Ben Lyons returns to talk about everything Knicks: the new era under head coach Mike Brown, the team’s rising expectations, and whether this could finally be the year New York makes a championship run. Ben shares his authentic, passionate perspective as a lifelong Knicks fan — from...