The Finder With Tom Haberstroh

Will NBA players be in Tokyo for the Summer Olympics? Marc Stein, NBA reporter for The New York Times, analyzed how the new Olympic dates will impact USA Basketball. Plus Marc and Tom discussed the health-and-safety hurdles that need to be cleared before the NBA season returns. 7:30 The whirlwind of the season being shutdown 11:31 Biggest Premier League fan in the NBA 25:45 Options the NBA is expl...

What is life like for basketball players stuck in Italy during the coronavirus pandemic? Michael Roll, who reached three Final Fours with UCLA, described being under a total lockdown while playing for Olimpia Milano. Plus he discussed how his family is preparing to welcome their first child at a time when Italian hospitals are so overwhelmed. 1:35 Scene in Italy 7:51 Reaction of NBA vs. EuroLeague...

What did Andy Larsen do after Rudy Gobert touched his microphone in the now-infamous press conference? Larsen, the Utah Jazz beat writer for The Salt Lake City Tribune, discussed finding out that Gobert tested positive for coronavirus and having to take the test himself. Then Eric Chemi, CNBC’s Sports Business reporter, analyzed the financial ramifications of the NBA suspending its season and whic...

When will NBA players return to the court? Tom Haberstroh discussed the coronavirus’ impact on the NBA with Howard Beck, Bleacher Report’s senior NBA writer and host of The Full 48 podcast. 2:12 Why the NBA made the right decision 9:35 The reasonable bar for players to get tested 12:40 Interactions with Rudy Gobert 24:11 Next steps for NBA 31:01 Possible NBA timeline for the next month Learn more...

How is Seattle reacting to the coronavirus? Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird discussed precautions and the possibility of playing in front of empty stadiums. Plus Bird, a three-time WNBA champion and four-time Olympic champion, revealed why she is endorsing a CBD brand. 1:50 Smartphone addiction 2:55 How Seattle is reacting to coronavirus 6:05 Being one of the first athletes to endorse a CBD brand 17:...

Just like in NBA Jam, players who make a couple of shots in a row catch on fire, right? Tom Haberstroh discusses the “hot hand” with Ben Cohen, author of the new book “The Hot Hand: The Mystery and Science of Streak.” Cohen, who covers the NBA for The Wall Street Journal, uses players like Stephen Curry to explore whether there really is such a thing as being in the zone. Plus Cohen and Haberstroh...

Does the NBA need to change its stance on marijuana? Tom Haberstroh and NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole reveal what they learned after interviewing a number of NBA players including Al Harrington, Andre Iguodala, Stephen Jackson and Brian Shaw for their column “Marijuana and the NBA: Erasing the stigma and healing the league,” which you can read at NBCSports.com/Haberstroh . Plus Poole, the host...

How do you coach LeBron James? Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel sat down with Tom Haberstroh at NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago to discuss what the Lakers need to do to win the NBA title. Plus Vogel told the story of how he ended up on the Stupid Human Tricks segment with David Letterman as a 13-year-old prodigy at spinning a basketball. 1:10 Being on David Letterman as a 13-year-old 5:36...

When did Mark Cuban know Luka Doncic could be a franchise player? The Dallas Mavericks owner sat down with Tom Haberstroh in a hotel lounge at NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago to discuss scouting, drafting and building around the 20-year-old All-Star. Plus Cuban revealed what he learned talking basketball with Barack Obama and Donald Trump, as well as his own political aspirations. 2:22 When Cuban...

Tom Haberstroh sat down three special guests for a LIVE podcast at the Highline Bar in Downtown Chicago to celebrate NBA All-Star Weekend. Orlando Magic star Aaron Gordon previewed his appearance in the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and reflected on his unforgettable matchup with Zach LaVine in the 2016 competition. Tom Thibodeau relived his glory years coaching the Chicago Bulls and discussed his co...

Who made the best moves at the NBA trade deadline? Tom Haberstroh discussed the trade winners and losers with ESPN NBA analyst Amin Elhassan (@darthamin), who spent a decade working in NBA front offices. 2:20 Analyzing the Andrew Wiggins trade to Golden State 12:30 What Amin texted Steve Kerr after the Wiggins trade 32:45 Agent Leon Rose taking over in New York 35:28 Why being in the front office...

Why can’t anybody stop Damian Lillard? Neil Olshey, who drafted Lillard less than a month after joining the Portland Trail Blazers, explained why his star point guard is so tough to defend. Plus Olshey, the Blazers’ President of Basketball Operations, revealed what he looks for in a prospect. 11:50 How did you know Damian Lillard would be this good? 15:50 What Neil looks for in a prospect 21:10 Th...

What made Kobe Bryant so special? The Undefeated’s Marc Spears, who covered Bryant for more than two decades, shared his favorite stories about the Black Mamba on and off the court. Then Chris Hein, the creative genius behind The Haberstat who graduated Lower Merion High School with Bryant, recalled when Bryant took Brandy to the prom. Plus Tom Haberstroh dug into The Habershow archives to resurfa...

Why did Run TMC end after just two seasons? Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin sat down with Tom Haberstroh at NBC Sports Bay Area headquarters to discuss the highs and lows of playing in Don Nelson’s fast-paced offense. 1:34 What made Run TMC special 7:12 The origin of the Run TMC nickname 12:50 Connection to Run DMC 20:01 The end of TMC 33:10 The best crossover since Tim Hardaway Lear...

What was it like guarding Kobe Bryant? Doug Christie, who was named to the NBA’s all-defensive team four teams, revealed the secrets to stopping Kobe. Christie also gave a blow-by-blow description of his fight with Rick Fox. Christie, who is now the Sacramento Kings analyst for NBC Sports California and host of the Purple Talk podcast with James Ham, also discussed the state of the Kings. 7:17 Fig...

Will this be an active NBA trade deadline, or will teams be “slugs”? Tom Haberstroh discussed with Nate Duncan, NBA salary cap guru and host of the Dunc’d On Basketball podcast. Plus Duncan revealed his list of top-10 prospects in the NBA 23 and under, and his answer might surprise Philadelphia 76ers fans. 1:57 The fallout of John Beilein’s “thugs” (or “slugs”) comment 8:55 Should the Cavs trade K...

How will longtime NBA commissioner David Stern be remembered? Tom Haberstroh discussed Stern’s legacy with Yahoo Sports NBA Insider Chris Haynes and CNBC Sports Business reporter Eric Chemi (1:07:15). Plus Haynes, who used to cover the Portland Trail Blazers for NBC Sports Northwest, explained why the Blazers are struggling, possible moves at next month's trade deadline, the LeBron/Anthony Davis c...

Who is right in the Doc Rivers vs. LeBron James load management debate? Tom Haberstroh discussed with Sam Amick, senior writer for The Athletic. Plus Amick, who recently returned from Milwaukee to interview Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, revealed what he learned about Giannis and the Bucks’ uncertain future. 1:10 Who will be the NBA MVP? 7:50 The big decision Giannis has to make this summer 14:33 The...

Will the Lakers and Clippers remain the top two teams in the Western Conference? Tom Haberstroh discussed with Dan Woike, who basically lives in the Staples Center as the LA Times national NBA writer. Plus Woike, who recently returned from Canada for Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto, takes you behind-the-scenes of Leonard’s championship ring ceremony, gives his take on Chris Paul's future and mor...

Are the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks as good as their records suggest? Tom Haberstroh discusses with ESPN analyst Amin Elhassan. Elhassan, a former Phoenix Suns executive and noted archrival of Kobe stans, also reveals whether he thinks Kobe Bryant quit in the 2006 playoff series against the Suns. 2:03 Amin’s impersonation of Alvin Gentry 7:44 Why does Amin Elhassan hate the Lakers so mu...

Gersson Rosas has remodeled the Minnesota Timberwolves since being named the team’s President of Basketball Operations earlier this year. He has assembled a world-class support staff that includes analytics experts, injury gurus and culinary icons. He has hired diverse voices and established better levels of communication between players and the front office. Rosas, the former Executive Vice Presi...

What does opening the Chase Center mean for the Golden State Warriors? Hall of Fame executive Rick Welts, the President and COO of the Warriors, explained how the Warriors overcame political and economic challenges to develop the world-class sports and entertainment venue. The former ball boy for the Seattle SuperSonics also revealed whether he thinks the NBA will return to Seattle. Welts, who in...

Would Larry Bird have had a longer career if he took more games off? NBA champion Channing Frye advocates for load management and believes it shouldn’t have a negative connotation. Frye, the host of NBC Sports Northwest’s newest podcast Talkin’ Blazers, also explained why the Trail Blazers need to make a move to be competitive in the Western Conference. 2:33 How players like LeBron James continue...

Stephen Curry might not actually be out for the season, according to his longtime trainer, Brandon Payne. Payne discussed Curry’s rehab and provided updates on his injuries. Payne, the founder of Accelerate Basketball, also talked about his work with Trae Young and Luka Doncic. 1:02 Watching Stephen Curry go down with an injury 13:50 Being with Curry on an international shoe tour 22:01 The extent...

Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis discussed John Wall’s health, drafting Rui Hachimura and the relationship between Bradley Beal and Wall. Leonsis, who recently won a WNBA title as the owner of the Washington Mystics, also touched on off-court topics including esports and sports gambling. 23:30 John Wall’s health and the state of the Wizards 33:40 Recruiting Bradley Beal and his relationship wi...