The Just Basketball Show

Who can dethrone the Denver Nuggets to win the 2024 NBA championship, and who is falling toward the NBA Draft lottery? Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down the upstart OKC Thunder, the Minnesota Timberwolves falling down to earth, the rise of De'Aaron Fox and what it means for the Sacramento Kings, whether Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero could both be All-Stars for the Orlando Magic, the...

From Nikola Jokic to A’ja Wilson to Caitlin Clark to Jimmy Butler, the NBA and WNBA gave us a ton to love in 2023 plus some lows. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning look back on the year that was in basketball plus make predictions about what 2024 might hold for Joel Embiid, the Golden State Warriors, G League Ignite, and the Paris Olympics. 0:00 Intro Cold Open 4:43 Pascal Siakam Slop 14:45 2023 Loo...

The Boston Celtics bring their A-game, the Phoenix Suns shrink, and the NBA hierarchy comes into focus after a big NBA Christmas Day. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen go through a big question from each game including what the Jaime Jaquez Jr. breakout means for the Miami Heat and how the New York Knicks can improve their roster with a trade. 0:00 Intro Cold Open 4:12 Boston vs the Field? 20:58 Did...

On the same night Ja Morant lifted the Memphis Grizzlies to another strong win in his return to the NBA, the Detroit Pistons slumped to a 25th straight loss against half of the Utah Jazz. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down both games and both teams, starting with what we can learn from Cade Cunningham and Detroit breaking down mid-rebuild. Then, a look at what Morant’s return shows us big...

Are the Denver Nuggets still the favorites to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals, or will challengers like the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves or Oklahoma City Thunder dethrone Nikola Jokic and Co.? Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen are joined by Wes Goldberg to pick their West MVP (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?), best team, most disappointing team (Golden State?), and more. But firs...

From Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers depth to Fred VanVleet going to Houston to the Phoenix Suns cutting bait with Deandre Ayton, it’s time to re-grade the NBA offseason. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning revisit each big move of the NBA summer. Then, Steve Ceruti of The Ringer joins to sing the gospel of the Orlando Magic and discuss how far Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs can...

Caitlin Clark could be headed to the Indiana Fever…or not? Plus Anthony Davis and LeBron James lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the inaugural NBA Cup title in Las Vegas. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down the ripple effects of Indiana winning the WNBA Draft Lottery and what Caitlin Clark might do in the spring. Then, a look at how LA stifled Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers to win th...

The Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers will face off in the NBA Cup Final as LeBron James aims to fend off Tyrese Haliburton to hoist another trophy. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down how the Lakers and Pacers got here as well as whether Bobby Portis is right about the Milwaukee Bucks offense and whether it's time for a change around Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. 0:...

Can the Indiana Pacers upset the Milwaukee Bucks? Can LeBron James continue his incredible vintage season and beat Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans? Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen preview the NBA Cup semifinals and discuss the Phoenix Suns getting screwed by the refs. Then, it’s time for Waving the Flag including what happens to the Orlando Magic when Wendell Carter Jr. gets back and...

Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen open up the episode by looking at Mark Cuban selling the Mavericks and the Warriors’ recent struggles and concerns about Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson. Then, they are joined by Brad Rowland from Locked on Hawks and DIME on Uproxx to discuss the state of the Eastern Conference by looking at who the best team in the conference is, the MVP of the conference so far t...

Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen jump around the NBA looking at the Jaylen Brown-Kristaps Porzingis tandem in Boston, the Indiana Pacers defense, patience with the New Orleans Pelicans, the development of Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green in Houston, and more. Then, it’s time for Waving the Flag in which we break down the Orlando Magic’s six-game win streak and how the defense and rotation are flesh...

It’s time for Basketball Thanksgiving, doling out praise for Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, Caitlin Clark, the Utah Jazz and more. But first, Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen go through the 5 most interesting stats of the NBA season so far starring the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Max Strus, Dillon Brook and Mitchell Robinson. 0:00 Intro 2:41 Basketball Beckham 11:20 Five Stats 27:...

We power rank the NBA from top to bottom while zooming in on the rising Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks as well as questions around the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning then jump into this week for the Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings in their weekly Waving the Flag segment....

Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning begin the show by talking about the Bulls and Zach LaVine seemingly moving towards a breakup and what teams would makes sense for LaVine. Then, they talk through different NBA takes - including the Cavs continuing to be good, being lukewarm on Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Williams hype - they'd look back before being joined by The Ringer's Rob Mahoney to play...

Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning start the week with a look at the start and excitement of the women's college basketball season, the Milwaukee Bucks' continued struggles, the Wolves' looking legitimate (especially on defense), the Pacers' offense hitting new heights, the Houston Rockets developing the defense and the weekly check-in on the Orlando Magic and the Sacramento Kings. 0:...

Vince Goodwill of Yahoo joins to survey the latest NBA news including James Harden debuting for the Los Angeles Clippers, Bradley Beal returning to the Phoenix Suns, and the upstart Golden State Warriors. But first, Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning jump into their weekly ‘To Think That I Saw It On NBA League Pass’ segment in which they discuss Anthony Edwards dominance, Giannis and Dame’s awkward s...

Victor Wembanyama is the story of the early NBA season, so it’s time for a deep dive. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down the San Antonio Spurs rookie in depth after two monster performances to beat the Phoenix Suns last week. Plus, a quick run through the NBA including James Harden’s Clippers debut, the Boston Celtics crazy start, and Zion Williamson playing more purposeful basketball. To...

The Memphis Grizzlies Are Down Bad Plus James Harden Is Finally a Clipper One full week of the NBA season is complete and it’s time for a closer look at the Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen discuss the James Harden trade to LA and what it means for the Clippers and Sixers before going deep on an ugly week in Memphis. Also, the John Col...

It’s time for our unlikely but possible NBA predictions for the 2023-24 season with Jokicjoestar aka Jack. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning are joined by Jokicjoestar to discuss the MVP race, first-time All-Stars in Boston and Denver, all-in trade teams, and whether this might be the year the Jazz and Bulls tear it down. But first, a quick breakdown of Sunday’s road beatdown by the Nuggets over the...

With the 2023-24 NBA season here, it's time to make some predictions about who will win it all, who will win MVP and much, much more. On a new episode of the Just Basketball Show, Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen make predictions for the 2023-24 NBA season (including their title picks, MVP picks, which teams will have the best offense and the best defense and more) before previewing the new-loo...

As the NBA season starts Tuesday, it’s time to preview the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks, the two favorites to meet in the NBA Finals. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning discuss the arrival of Damian Lillard, the Patrick Mahomesification of Nikola Jokic, and more. But first, our quick thoughts on Steven Adams missing the season in Memphis, Zach Collins getting an extension in San Antonio, and wh...

We continue our NBA season preview series with a trio of chaotic squads in the Sixers, Grizzlies and Raptors. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down Philly asking a lot of Joel Embiid once again, Memphis in a lurch during Ja Morant’s absence, and Toronto in a reset season along with Locked On Raptors host Sean Woodley. But first, they play a game of NBA Preseason What Matters Most including Ta...

The New York Liberty take Game 3 and it's time to preview the star-studded Suns and a Cavaliers team looking for redemption. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down Game 3 of the WNBA Finals by focusing on the Liberty's standout defense and the Aces losing Chelsea Gray to injury. They then preview the Phoenix Suns, all-in on this season after acquiring Bradley Beal to team with Devin Bo...

The Las Vegas Aces are on the cusp of a WNBA championship while the NBA season is less than two weeks away. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down Game 2 of the WNBA Finals before playing the debut round of NBA Speed Dating. They also discuss the latest with Miles Bridges and the Chicago Sky hiring Teresa Weatherspoon before previewing the Sacramento Kings season. 0:00 Intro 1:50 NBA Speed Dat...

The Aces took one of the WNBA Finals and the NBA preseason has begun. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning break down Las Vegas’ big win and the strong play of Jackie Young to lead the way. Then, a deep dive previewing Kawhi Leonard and the aging Los Angeles Clippers before closing with a preview of Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks as they build off last year’s breakout. 0:00 Intro 1:19 Slop of th...