The NBA Podcast

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Tom Thibodeau's firing, Jimmy Butler's frustration with his role in Philly's offense and the Justin Holiday trade. Why did the Timberwolves decide to fire Thibodeau now? Would Fred Hoiberg be a good replacement for Thibs? Is Jimmy Butler right to be frustrated with his role in the Sixers offense? Were...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) break down the All-Star race at the end of December. Can Luka Doncic become the first rookie to make the All-Star Game since Blake Griffin in 2011? Will Mike Conley receive his first-ever All-Star nod? Which Eastern Conference guard will be named a starter other than Kyrie Irving? Who will be snubbed? Check o...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the NBA's 2018 Christmas Day slate. Will Giannis Antetokounmpo have an iconic performance against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden? Without Chris Paul, do the Rockets stand a chance against the Thunder? How will Jimmy Butler affect the Sixers-Celtics matchup? Can LeBron James and the Lakers topple...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Trevor Ariza trade and the three-team trade that fell apart because of confusion between Dillon Brooks and MarShon Brooks. Who's to blame for the failed three-team trade? How much will Ariza help out in Washington? Do the Phoenix Suns now have too many wings? Why are they waiving Austin Rivers wit...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Bulls' attempted mutiny, the three-team trade for George Hill and Joel Embiid's frustration with his recent role. Are things only going to get worse for the Bulls given the clash between the players and new head coach Jim Boylen? How much of a difference will George Hill make for the Bucks? Is Joe...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Chicago Bulls' decision to fire head coach Fred Hoiberg. Did Hoiberg deserve to get fired? Is Jim Boylen the Bulls' long-term answer? Do the Bulls have any hope so long as John Paxson and Gar Forman remain in place? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more. Follo...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the front-runners for every major NBA award through the first quarter of the 2018-19 season. Is Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way in the MVP race? Can anyone challenge Luka Doncic for Rookie of the Year? With Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz struggling, who's the front-runner for Defensive Player of...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether some early-season surprises are sustainable or will regress to the mean. What's plaguing the Boston Celtics? Can the Orlando Magic continue staying competitive? Are the Miami Heat in legitimate danger of missing the playoffs? Can the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers stay in playoff c...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss dysfunction around the NBA, starting with the Washington Wizards. Is it time for the Wizards to trade John Wall, Bradley Beal and/or Otto Porter Jr.? Can the Philadelphia 76ers count on Markelle Fultz in the wake of his latest shoulder issue? How can the Cleveland Cavaliers find a taker for J.R. Smith...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Kevin Durant-Draymond Green drama, revisit the key players in the Jimmy Butler trade and weigh in on Carmelo Anthony's professional limbo. Could tension between KD and Draymond upend the Warriors franchise? Should Sixers fans be worried after the team lost in Jimmy Butler's debut? Are the T-Wolves...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss reaction to Derrick Rose's 50-point night and the ongoing drama with the Los Angeles Lakers. What's the best way to put Derrick Rose's 50-point night into context? Does Luke Walton deserve the blame for the Lakers' slow start? Will Tyson Chandler help fix the Lakers' ailing defense? Is Kyrie Irving be...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Cavaliers' decision to fire Tyronn Lue, the Rockets' godfather offer for Jimmy Butler and much more. Do the Cavaliers have a clear direction after firing Lue? Are the Rockets under more pressure to trade for Butler given their slow start to the season? Is Klay Thompson a threat to top Kobe Bryant'...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) highlight the biggest surprises and disappointments from the first week of the 2018-19 NBA season. Among the surprises, they discuss the Denver Nuggets' stout defense, Blake Griffin's MVP-caliber start to the year and the New Orleans Pelicans turning into an offensive juggernaut. For the disappointments, they...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) fire off their most scorching hot takes about the first two nights of the 2018-19 NBA season. Is Markelle Fultz now officially a bust? Is Jayson Tatum already the Celtics' best player? Are the Rockets title pretenders rather than contenders? Has Anthony Davis already sealed up MVP? Is Kemba Walker going to av...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) run through the major awards races and make their playoff predictions for the 2018-19 season. Is Giannis Antetokounmpo poised to run away with MVP? Can anyone challenge Rudy Gobert for Defensive Player of the Year? Is Isaiah Thomas headed for Sixth Man of the Year? Who will emerge in a wide-open field for Mos...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the storylines they're most excited to watch throughout the 2018-19 season. How will LeBron James fare with the Lakers? Can Kawhi Leonard bring the Raptors to the Finals? Will Markelle Fultz remember how to shoot? How will DeMarcus Cousins fit in with the Warriors? Will the Timberwolves implode? Check...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Nekias Duncan (@NekiasNBA) of Miami Heat Beat to preview the Southeast Division ahead of the 2018-19 season. What's the most the Miami Heat should be willing to give up for Jimmy Butler? Are the Washington Wizards doomed to implode because of chemistry issues? Should the Charlotte Hornets trade...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) of The Athletic to preview the Atlantic Division ahead of the 2018-19 season. Is it Finals or bust for the Boston Celtics this season? With Kawhi Leonard in the fold, are the Toronto Raptors a legitimate threat to win the title this year? What constitutes a successfu...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Ian Levy (@HickoryHigh) of FanSided to preview the Central Division ahead of the 2018-19 season. Can Victor Oladipo build upon his breakout 2017-18 campaign, or is he headed for regression? Will Giannis Antetokounmpo have a career year under Mike Budenholzer? What should the Bulls expect from Ja...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Jimmy Butler's trade request and the Philadelphia 76ers' decision to hire Elton Brand as their new general manager. Do the Minnesota Timberwolves have to trade Butler ASAP? Which teams should be trying to trade for him? What should the T-Wolves be seeking in exchange? Did the Sixers miss an opportunit...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) of Bourbon Street Shots to preview the Southwest Division ahead of the 2018-19 season. How will Julius Randle fit with the New Orleans Pelicans? Will the Houston Rockets get anything out of Brandon Knight or Marquese Chriss? Is Luka Doncic the runaway Rookie of th...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by T.J. McBride (@TJMcBrideNBA) of Mile High Sports to preview the Northwest Division ahead of the 2018-19 season. Do the Denver Nuggets already have a top-five backcourt? How will Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook fare together? Are the Minnesota Timberwolves at risk for an implosion? Where wi...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Anthony Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) of Silver Screen & Roll to preview the Pacific Division ahead of the 2018-19 season. What's the realistic ceiling and floor for the new-look Los Angeles Lakers? Do the Golden State Warriors have anything to play for during the regular season? Why are the Phoenix S...

In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by original co-host Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) to discuss which teams will be the most fun to watch in 2018-19.Could the San Antonio Spurs be sneaky fun this year? Is there any reason to watch the Portland Trail Blazers aside from Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum? Does Luka Doncic make the Dallas Ma...