Off Guard with Austin Rivers

Austin and Pausha recap all the Christmas Day action, starting with the Mavs and Suns and the rivalry between Luka Doncic and Devin Booker (1:34), and then weigh in on Jalen Brunson’s impressive performance vs. the Bucks, which has him ranked among the best guards (21:33). Later, they discuss Warriors-Nuggets and Steve Kerr’s postgame free throw comments as well as Celtics-Lakers and why it may be...

Austin and Pausha kick off the show by talking through Austin’s latest workout for NBA brass on his journey back to the league (0:00). The guys also get into Ja Morant’s much-anticipated return to the court and what that means for the Grizzlies moving forward (9:40), before discussing the red-hot Clippers sending a message to the NBA and the haters with their recent nine-game winning streak (16:00...

Austin and Pausha start the show by talking through Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s growing case to win MVP (8:30), as well as the Joel Embiid greatness fatigue that’s seemingly developing in NBA discourse. Next, they discuss the massive scoring nights from Jalen Brunson and Keegan Murray and Austin describes what it’s like to be the guy guarding players who go off like that (14:00). The guys wrap thing...

Austin and Pausha recap all the drama happening around the league, starting with Draymond’s indefinite suspension (2:25), before unpacking the wild events that took place between the Pacers and Bucks over the ownership of a game ball (16:46). Finally, they reveal and break down the first-ever Off Guard Top 10 Power Rankings (40:04). Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi Producers: Erika Cervant...

Austin and Pausha kick the week off comparing Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal to NBA contracts (1:38). Then, they talk through why the Lakers winning the In-Season Tournament upped the “cool” value, and why it overall was a huge win for the Association (19:40). Jumping off the Lakers’ IST win, they discuss the duos that rank higher than LeBron and AD, and why King James may be the greatest athle...

Austin and Pausha talk the in-season tournament semifinals, highlight the impressive play between Tyrese Haliburton and Dame (3:18), and give credit to LeBron for his dominating performance (12:40). Later, they touch on whether the Pacers are a legitimate contender out East and which type of coach is worth investing in, using Rick Carlisle as a jumping-off point (39:12), discuss how the winners of...

Austin and Pausha start things off by touching on the wild tweet from Adidas in defense of Anthony Edwards after saying he’d like Kevin Durant to rock his shoes (8:06). Then, they argue why Jokic’s absurdly good season should already have his third MVP locked up (25:30). Later, they touch on the on-court incident between LeBron and Ime Udoka and discuss the dynamic between a coach and a player (36...

Austin and Pausha revisit the current state of the Washington Wizards, including whether Kyle Kuzma would be better off as a player on a winning team and what’s behind Jordan Poole’s struggles (1:00). They also try to dissect what exactly is wrong with the Warriors and whether it’s realistic for them to uphold the franchise’s high standards (5:00). Then, the guys give praise to Alperen Sengun out...

Austin and Pausha open the show by giving their thoughts on the current hot streak of Pausha’s beloved Orlando Magic, and whether their success is sustainable throughout the rest of the season. Then, the guys discuss Devin Booker cementing himself as one of the most elite closers in the NBA before talking through Norris Cole’s latest comments about the “lack of basketball IQ” in the league today....

Austin and Pausha begin by talking about some of the teams at the top of the East—specifically who the fourth-best team in the East is (6:58). They also discuss why the Cavs are off to a slow start. Then, Austin rants about some of the Klay Thompson disrespect (29:27) before they discuss how good the Kings have been and debate if De’Aaron Fox is a top-10 player (36:53). Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pa...

Austin and Pausha kick things off by talking through the Draymond Green chokehold on Rudy Gobert that resulted in Draymond’s five-game suspension (6:43). Then, they discuss the stacked Timberwolves lineup and their place among the top teams in the league (17:15), before dissecting what exactly is wrong with the Clippers (18:36), and Ime Udoka’s Coach of the Year-like impact for the Rockets (22:48)...

Austin and Pausha run down this week’s matchups and explain why they are extremely bullish on the Timberwolves (9:14). Then, they break down James Harden’s fit with the Clippers following their recent losses (14:27), and Bradley Beal’s early contributions to the Suns (31:41). Later, they evaluate what’s going on in the Eastern Conference with Joel Embiid and the post-Harden 76ers (43:40), before d...

Austin and Pausha kick off the pod with their first impressions of the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament and whether players will actually be able to celebrate winning the whole thing (00:55). They then discuss Scoot Henderson’s early struggles and Scottie Barnes’s ascension as a top guy with the Raptors (10:05). Later, they discuss Donovan Mitchell’s MVP-level season so far, James Harden’s int...

Austin and Pausha start by discussing the slow starts of Paolo Banchero and Austin Reaves and what that may have to do with their USA Basketball run this past summer (6:40). Then, they talk through who may be the next face of the league after LeBron James finishes playing (12:00). Later, they hit on Draymond Green’s most recent comments about the post–Jordan Poole Warriors era before closing thing...

Austin and Pausha kick off their Halloween by discussing the late-night trade that landed James Harden with the Los Angeles Clippers, and how the Philadelphia 76ers will deal with a Beard-less future (1:36). The guys break down how Harden’s arrival impacts Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George, before picking who they thought won the trade. Then, Austin and Pausha get into the new cour...

It’s a new NBA season on ‘Off Guard!’ Austin and Pausha run through a handful of the league’s first few games and talk through the story lines that are already in motion (7:34). Then, they discuss the common theme between the top-heavy teams and their levels of success (22:03), and give their major takeaways so far (54:06). Later, they put their hoops knowledge back to the test with another round...

Austin and Pausha fire up the mics for the first podcast of the new NBA season. The guys start by reacting to Jaden McDaniels’s big extension with the Timberwolves. They use that as a jumping off point to discuss how the T-Wolves have built their team around Anthony Edwards compared to how the Dallas Mavericks have built theirs around Luka Doncic. The guys then talk through the impact of Steven Ad...

Austin and Pausha are back and on their brand-new ‘Off Guard’ feed, where they begin with reactions to the impressive performances so far from both Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren (0:47). Then, they discuss which players are on their radar this upcoming season, including underrated names like Payton Pritchard and Jonathan Kuminga (23:45). Later, they talk through The Ringer's and ESPN’s top 10...

Austin and Pausha are back for the start of the preseason; they react to the news that Jrue Holiday was traded to the Celtics and discuss how this compares to the Damian Lillard trade and what this ultimately means for the Heat (6:04). Then, they address quotes from media day, starting with Jimmy Butler’s hair and Brandon Ingram’s take on a big payday (15:34). They finish off the show with another...

Austin and Pausha react to the blockbuster Damian Lillard trade and talk through why this is a rare triple win for all three teams involved (0:32). Then, they hit on the Travis Kelce–Taylor Swift relationship news (25:52) and likely NBA prospect Cooper Flagg’s UConn photo shoot. They wrap things up with Lost in the Sauce, a new segment that puts both guys’ NBA history knowledge to the test (53:51)...

Austin and Pausha review the Charlotte Hornets conversation from last week’s episode and Austin responds to comments made around the league (1:05). Then, they hit on Jarred Vanderbilt’s extension with the Lakers and Kelly Oubre Jr. signing with the Sixers (8:31). Later, they make their preseason award predictions for MVP, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved, and more (11:57)! Hosts: Austin Rivers...

Austin and Pausha are back to discuss why Team USA came up short in the FIBA World Cup and the potential dream team that will be heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympics (07:30). They briefly discuss the Lakers' signing of Christian Wood (25:00). The guys also share their thoughts on the NBA’s new rules regarding load management and sitting out games (28:00). Later, they address Kevin Porter Jr.'s a...

Austin and Pausha are ramping up for the 2023-24 NBA season and kick the show off with Austin’s thoughts on Noah Lyles’s viral comments on the NBA. Then, they talk through Team USA’s quarterfinal FIBA win and how a potential championship game against Canada may shake out. The guys also do some looking ahead and discuss which players have the most to prove this upcoming season before closing things...

Austin and Pausha dive into last week’s All-Time starting five lineup and discuss why KD was chosen amongst other elite players (7:40). They then discuss Team USA’s competition and why they believe Trae Young was left out (14:12). Later they talk through what type of NBA career they’d rather pick: one with a better peak or one with more longevity, using Tracy McGrady and Paul Pierce as a jumping o...

Austin and Pausha revisit the viral Damian Lillard conversation to rehash the effects of certain trade demands throughout the league (3:30). Then, they choose their all-time starting five (14:05), answer a round of Rapid Fire Questions, including their choice between a prime James Harden or Dwyane Wade (31:54), and then discuss the lost art of practicing alone (37:47). Later, Austin breaks down wh...