The Just Basketball Show

With NBA free agency wrapping up, what are the remaining holes facing the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns? Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down the biggest weaknesses of every main NBA championship contender. First, a close look at the NBA in-season tournament and what we can learn from the WNBA’s approach to the Commissioner’s Cup. Plus,...

Victor Wembanyama made his debut at NBA Summer League while Gregg Popovich extended his contract, giving us a glimpse at the future of the San Antonio Spurs. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning discuss Wembanyama’s up-and-down start in the NBA as well as Pop’s long game. Then, a breakdown of the matchup between Amen Thompson and Scoot Henderson in Las Vegas, as well as the lingering questions in Atlan...

The Dallas Mavericks added Grant Williams to build around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and cap off a solid NBA free agency period, while Chet Holmgren and Brandon Miller both debuted at NBA Summer League with mixed results. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down the latest in the NBA, then close out in praise of the Las Vegas Aces, who are separating themselves from the pack in the WNBA amid a...

NBA trade season is upon us as both Damian Lillard and James Harden are searching for new teams. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning discuss the latest on both players, including destinations for Tyler Herro and how the 76ers could approach Harden’s request. Then, a look at our most surprising deals of NBA free agency including Domantas Sabonis, Austin Reaves, Chris Paul, LaMelo Ball and more. 2:15 Li...

NBA free agency begins on Friday and James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Fred VanVleet and more are already lining themselves up for new deals. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning are joined by freelance NBA reporter Wes Goldberg to make the case on their strongest NBA free agency takes, including how the new CBA will change the offseason, the value of Kyle Kuzma, Dillon Brooks, Cam Johnson and Grant Williams...

NBA free agency begins Friday with stars like Damian Lillard, Paul George and Karl-Anthony Towns reportedly available. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen are joined by Bill DiFilippo of Dime Magazine to give their 10 favorite hypothetical moves of the offseason, including Dame, PG13 and KAT as well as a new wing for the New York Knicks, Kyle Kuzma finding a new home, and a shooting upgrade for the Cl...

The 2023 NBA Draft is complete while Kristaps Porzingis was moved to the Boston Celtics and Chris Paul got dealt to the Golden State Warriors in the lead-up. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning dole out their winners (the Houston Rockets adding Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore to their core, the champion Denver Nuggets getting three potential rotation players) and losers (the Charlotte Hornets clarity o...

NBA Draft week started with a bang as Bradley Beal is headed to the Phoenix Suns while Damian Lillard could still be dealt before long. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning discuss Beal’s fit next to Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in Phoenix’s offense before welcoming Erik Garcia Gundersen to explore Lillard’s future with the Portland Trail Blazers, costar options including Pascal Siakam, Brandon Ingram...

The NBA offseason is here and rumors are flying around Damian Lillard, James Harden, Zion Williamson and Bradley Beal already. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break all those down and more as they count off their 10 people who will define the NBA offseason. 8:30 Zion Williamson 22:25 James Harden/Tilman Fertitta 32:09 Damian Lillard 38:23 Bradley Beal/Michael Winger 46:26 Jeff Weltman 54:45 Warrio...

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, adding the most important piece to the resume of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning celebrate Denver’s dominant season, discuss how they matched Miami’s physical and mental toughness, and what the Nuggets’ title means in the context of this era of NBA parity. Then, a breakdown of the Toronto Raptors offseason and...

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray became the first teammates in NBA history with 30-point triple-doubles as the Denver Nuggets took a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals, while the NBA offseason kicked off with a bang as Chris Paul, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are in the middle of the rumor mill. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning discuss Denver’s star-powered win, Christian Braun’s breakout and why the Miami H...

The Miami Heat became the first team to beat the Denver Nuggets at home in Game 2 of the NBA Finals despite 41 points from Nikola Jokic. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down the three biggest reasons Miami won, including Jimmy Butler doing more and unlocking Miami on both ends, Jamal Murray’s reserved approach, and the good and bad of Joker in scoring mode. To close, a breakdown of the Detro...

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets took a smooth win in Game One of the NBA Finals as the Miami Heat didn’t get enough out of their star Jimmy Butler or the young role players they’ve counted on all postseason. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning discuss Denver’s tale of two halves offensively, a huge scoring night from Bam Adebayo, Jokic’s lack of aggressiveness, and the surprise of Haywood Highsmit...

The NBA Finals are set after the Miami Heat topped the Boston Celtics to set up a matchup against the Denver Nuggets. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen discuss how Miami won Game 7, what this series taught us about Boston, and why Denver should be a humongous favorite in the Finals. Then, a closer look at coaching hires in Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Phoenix to understand why the NBA is leaning towa...

The Boston Celtics are keeping things interesting as the Miami Heat attempt to join the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals, while LeBron James confronts basketball mortality on the same day Carmelo Anthony embraces it. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning recap the latest in the NBA playoffs and offseason before closing with a guide to how the Washington Wizards can approach the offseason under new execu...

We’re headed for a Denver Nuggets-Miami Heat NBA Finals while free agency is quietly revving up as James Harden appears destined to rejoin the Houston Rockets. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning break it all down while also praising Bam Adebayo, wondering about new NBA tampering rules, sifting between culture and talent in Denver, and checking in on Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner in the WNBA. Th...

The Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat have early leads in the NBA conference finals, while the 2023 WNBA season begins this weekend. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen are joined by Sabreena Merchant of The Athletic to discuss Denver eking out a win and dive into the top and bottom of the WNBA with title picks, awards picks, and burning questions for the most interesting teams including the title favorit...

The San Antonio Spurs won the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery and the chance to draft Victor Wembanyama while the Denver Nuggets took care of business to win Game One at home against the Los Angeles Lakers in a busy Tuesday in the NBA. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning break down what Wembanyama landing in San Antonio means for the NBA, his career, and the Spurs organization. Then, a closer look at Nikola Jo...

As the NBA playoffs continue, Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning discuss Anthony Davis injuring his head while the Warriors extended their series against the Lakers; James Harden and Joel Embiid taking control to lead the 76ers over the Celtics; the Suns on the brink with a big Deandre Ayton question looming; and the Knicks having life against the Heat. Plus, our All-NBA reactions including Shai Gilg...

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers took the lead against the Golden State Warriors while the Miami Heat took control of their series against the New York Knicks. Plus, Mike Budenholzer is gone for the Milwaukee Bucks and they are on the search for a new head coach for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen discuss the latest in the NBA playoffs, closing with the evoluti...

Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning discuss Joel Embiid returning in a loss to the Boston Celtics, Anthony Davis dominating Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors, and Nikola Jokic painting a masterpiece to go up 2-0 on the Phoenix Suns. Then, what can we learn from the final eight teams in the NBA playoffs? And to close, an interview with Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso on guarding Jimmy Butler, th...

The first round of the NBA playoffs is over as Stephen Curry slayed the Sacramento Kings on the road to send the Golden State Warriors to the conference semis and the Memphis Grizzlies got owned in Los Angeles. Meanwhile the second round is off to a bang as Jamal Murray piled it on against the Phoenix Suns while the Miami Heat scored a team win over a quiet Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks. C...

It felt like the NBA Bubble all over again this week as Jimmy Butler and LeBron James both put their teams on their back in a classic NBA playoffs night. Plus, as the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers face elimination, change could be on the way. Brendon Kleen and Chris Manning break down the Miami Heat going up 3-1 on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks and the...

The NBA playoffs have in fact been very good, and Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen are back to give out their best players of the NBA playoffs (so far), including Devin Booker and Jalen Brunson in addition to two surprise picks. But first, they recap the Golden State Warriors getting even, the Cleveland Cavaliers implosion, and the Phoenix Suns being tested. To close, a look at Mikal Bridges and th...

The NBA playoffs are in full swing, with the Golden State Warriors surviving Draymond Green’s suspension, the Phoenix Suns getting by with supernova games from Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, and the Cleveland Cavaliers finding balance between Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Chris Manning and Brendon Kleen break down all the biggest series, including a hampered LeBron James vs. a deep Grizzlie...