The Baseline NBA Podcast

The NBA offseason has officially gone off the rails. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down a wild week of movement across the league — from Kawhi Leonard’s shocking return to Toronto and LeBron leaving the Lakers after eight seasons, to Ja Morant landing in Portland and LaMelo Ball heading to Minnesota. We dive into every major trade, opt‑out, signing, extension, and RFA updat...

The NBA offseason is already delivering fireworks. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the blockbuster trade sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat and examine how the move reshapes the Eastern Conference and the NBA championship landscape. We also wrap up the First Round of 2026 NBA Draft, discussing the biggest winners and losers, our favorite selections, surprise...

The 2026 NBA Finals are in the books, and we're breaking down how the New York Knicks captured their first championship in decades by dispatching the San Antonio Spurs in a convincing Gentleman’s Sweep. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we recap the Finals, discuss what went right for the Knicks and what went wrong for the Spurs, and close out the season with our final edition of The Au...

n this edition of The Autopsy Report, The Baseline NBA Podcast examines the shocking Conference Finals exits of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers. After dominant regular seasons and championship aspirations, both teams fell short of reaching the NBA Finals. We break down what went wrong, from coaching decisions and roster construction to playoff adjustments, star performances, and...

The stage is set for the 2026 NBA Finals, and The Baseline NBA Podcast is bringing together the full 19 Media Group panel—Cal "Game Face" Lee, Warren Shaw, Desmond Powell, Gerald Brown and Rashard Grove—to break down one of the most compelling Finals matchups in recent memory. New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs isn't just a battle for a championship—it's a clash of history, legacy, and opportun...

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we open another edition of The Autopsy Report as we break down the seasons and futures of the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors. From championship expectations and playoff disappointments to rebuilding timelines and organizational direction, we examine what went wrong, what still works, and what each franch...

The road to the NBA Finals is officially set. In this special live edition of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we react to the Cleveland Cavaliers dominant Game 7 win over the Detroit Pistons and discuss the biggest takeaways from one of the most physical semifinal series of the postseason. Then we preview both NBA Conference Finals matchups as the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare to battle the New York Knick...

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the biggest stories shaping the league, beginning with the Dallas Mavericks making major front office moves by hiring Masai Ujiri as President and Alternate Governor and naming Mike Schmitz General Manager. What does this mean for the Mavericks’ long-term vision and roster direction? We also discuss Steve Kerr becoming the NBA’s highest-pa...

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we open up The Autopsy Report on three teams whose playoff exits raised more questions than answers — the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets. Each entered the postseason with expectations, but all three were unceremoniously bounced in the first round, forcing a hard look at roster construction, star leadership, coaching decisions, and l...

This week, we put the spotlight on two Eastern Conference teams that fell short of expectations — the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls. The Bucks’ season unraveled in the most unexpected ways. A struggling defense, inconsistent guard play, and lack of depth led to a disappointing finish outside the playoff picture. While there were flashes from emerging contributors, the overall roster constructi...

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we dive into another edition of The Autopsy Report, breaking down the current state of the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets. For Golden State, we examine what’s gone wrong — Is this the final run with Kerr, Draymond and Steph under "The Town" from roster construction and inconsistent production to the challenges of sustaining a championship c...

In this episode, we sit down with documentary filmmaker Sascha Gardner, one of the creative minds behind Netflix’s acclaimed Untold series. Known for uncovering the deeper stories behind some of sports’ most misunderstood moments, Gardner joins us to discuss his latest project, Untold: Jail Blazers. We dive into the story of the early 2000s Portland Trail Blazers—an immensely talented team whose l...

The NBA Playoffs are here and The Baseline crew pulled up with a full 2026 Play-In + First Round preview — East and West. Cal Lee, Warren Shaw, and Jabari Davis break down every major matchup with a blend of X’s and O’s, culture talk, and that honest playoff energy:In this episode: East Play-In & Seeding Hornets vs Heat: Is Charlotte officially the team nobody wants to see? Why Miami’s “we’ll...

This week, The Autopsy Report continues as we break down the Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks—three teams at very different stages, but all facing critical organizational questions. We examine roster construction, front office vision, and whether each franchise has a clear identity or is still searching for direction. From Brooklyn’s reset, to Utah’s asset-driven approach, to Dallas...

The season’s over… now it’s time to examine what went wrong. In this debut installment of The Autopsy Report, we put the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Sacramento Kings on the table and break down the real causes behind their early playoff exits. From flawed roster construction and defensive breakdowns to front office direction and missed opportunities in free agency, nothing is off limit...

In this special edition of FaceTime w/ The Baseline, we sit down with filmmakers Corey Colvin and Carlton Sabbs, the visionary directors behind the Prime Video documentary Meal Ticket. Hailing from Chicago, the duo brings a powerful blend of storytelling, culture, and lived experience to the screen. We dive into their creative journey, their transition into feature documentary filmmaking, and how...

The NBA season has been a roller coaster — and it’s time for a reality check. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we revisit our preseason predictions and break down what we got right… and what we completely missed. From rising stars to unexpected team success, we take an honest look at how the season has unfolded. We discuss why our tempered expectations for Amen Thompson proved accurate...

Not every non-playoff team is truly rebuilding — some are simply waiting for the right moment to break through. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we introduce “Proof of Life,” a deep-dive exercise where we identify one team from the Eastern Conference and one from the Western Conference that could rise from outside the playoff picture and reach the postseason next year. We examine teams...

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we re-evaluate and re-draft the 2018 NBA Draft class featuring Luka Dončić, Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, and DeAndre Ayton. With multiple All-NBA players, franchise cornerstones, and late-pick steals emerging from this class, we break down the biggest hits, the most surprising misses, and how the draft order should look today. Was...

The NBA playoff push is here, and the spotlight is on the players who can change everything. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the stretch-run impact of Jalen Green (Phoenix Suns), Tyler Herro (Miami Heat), Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets), and Benedict Mathurin (LA Clippers). - Which of these rising stars has the power to elevate their team’s playoff positioning?  - Who...

The NBA is at a turning point — and Commissioner Adam Silver knows it. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down Adam Silver’s latest press conference and what it means for the future of the NBA, including the league’s growing tanking problem, potential draft reform, expansion plans, and global growth. Silver addressed the NBA tanking crisis directly, acknowledging the draft lotte...

Buzz City is alive. The Charlotte Hornets have ripped off their first nine-game winning streak since 1999 and now sit just one win away from tying the franchise record set in 1997-98. In just three weeks, they’ve gone from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to the 10th seed at 25-28 — completely flipping their season. So what changed? We break down the Hornets’ stunning surge, powered by a true...

Our man Kwab from the 'The Dime featuring Josh & Kwab' joins the show as we break down Jason Kidd’s recent clap back, the looming Giannis factor, and why much of the league feels frozen waiting for that pin to drop. We dive into the latest NBA Trade Deadline moves involving the Cavs, Kings, Bulls, Hawks, and Blazers, then close by debating two teams we still struggle to trust—the Sixers and Cl...

This week’s episode is a must-listen as our brother from another mother Jabari Davis joins the show as guest co-host, and we waste no time diving into everything happening around the NBA. We kick things off with our thoughts on NBA Rivals Week, asking the big question: Was it a Heated Rivalry… or just Lukewarm Competition? Did the matchups deliver real intensity, or was the hype louder than the pr...

On this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we reflect on the 40-year legacy of MLK Day in the NBA, inspired by Dominique Wilkins’ powerful memories of playing in the very first MLK Day games in Atlanta. More than a date on the schedule, MLK Day represents responsibility, sacrifice, and the platform the league continues to stand on today. We then shift to the court with MLK Day game previews, bre...