James Harden finally got his wish and put the city of Houston in his rearview mirror. But did the Nets pay too steep of a price by mortgaging their future, gutting their depth, and introducing another ball dominant guard to play with ball dominant point guard Kyrie Irving? And speaking of Kyrie, has his self imposed sabbatical damaged the chemistry of the team? So many questions and so many potential issues. Monica McNutt, Eric Newman, & Bruce Bernstein attempt to make sense of it all. See P...
Jan 14, 2021•38 min•Ep. 90
Katie Barnes of ESPN writes about women's basketball and social issues. On this week's show, Katie joins Monica and King to break down how the WNBA players had a major influence on the Georgia Senate runoff elections with the Atlanta Dream players actively organizing against the co-owner of their team (Kelly Loeffler) and raising the profile of (and money for) Loeffler's opponent, who defeated her in Tuesday's election. The WNBA players have been at the forefront of social change and this was a ...
Jan 07, 2021•50 min•Ep. 89
In this special year end episode of the show, Monica McNutt, King McClure, & Bruce Bernstein reflect back on the year 2020 from a societal and sports point of view. Was it all bad? Were there any silver linings? And where would we like to see the world go from here? Our crew is VERY hopeful about the year ahead and everyone feels that 2021 will be a year of healing, understanding, and progress. As for the hoops .... the crew breaks down the storylines they plan to follow both in college and ...
Dec 23, 2020•41 min•Ep. 88
Monica McNutt and King McClure welcome Ava Wallace, the Wizards beat reporter for the Washington Post to this week's Buckets, Boards, & Blocks. Ava helps break down how Russell Westbrook will mesh with shooting guard Bradley Beal on the new look Wiz. Ava also discusses the challenges of covering a team on a daily basis during the pandemic. Ava details how the Wizards franchise is trying to build a culture and why Westbrook should be a catalyst in that area. And no Wizards discussion would be...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 87
ESPN college hoop analyst Seth Greenberg was a two time ACC Coach of the Year and hasn't lost a game in nearly 9 years. Which happens to coincide with the amount of time he's been at the "World Wide Leader." He is a master story teller, a great strategist, and has a great sense of humor. He joins Monica McNutt and Bruce Bernstein, who is filling in for King McClure. They discuss Coach K's remarks about playing (or not playing) during the pandemic and Seth makes some compelling arguments in favor...
Dec 10, 2020•32 min•Ep. 86
Chris Spatola of ESPN and Sirius/XM Radio is one of the most well informed and thoughtful hoop analysts in the national media. He joins Monica McNutt and Bruce Bernstein, who is filling in for King McClure for a discussion of his own unique background, the greatness of Mark Few's top ranked Gonzaga program, the ascension of Illinois under Brad Underwood, and how Baylor's Scott Drew empowers his players. Chris also explains why he believes Syracuse has struggled since entering the ACC. See Privac...
Dec 03, 2020•36 min•Ep. 85
With American families scaling back their Thanksgiving gatherings due to the surge in the COVID-19 pandemic, Monica McNutt and King McClure invited their Dads on the show to discuss basketball, society, and life. Both Leroy McClure and Kevin McNutt are great story tellers who shared their experiences raising incredibly accomplished human beings who also happen to be outstanding athletes and communicators. The Dads also have some funny and insightful stories of coaching their kids and discussing ...
Nov 24, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 84
Monica, King, & Bruce share their takes on Wednesday's NBA Draft. Was Anthony Edwards the right man for Minnesota at #1? Did James Wiseman land in the perfect situation with the Warriors at #2? Will LaMelo Ball be the star that Michael Jordan can count on in Charlotte? Was Obi Toppin shedding tears of joy after being drafted by the Knicks? Why did Oklahoma City take on Al Horford's contract after they traded away Chris Paul to save money? All these topics and much more on Buckets, Boards, &a...
Nov 19, 2020•38 min•Ep. 83
Justin Jackson of the Dallas Mavericks is heading into his fourth NBA season and second full season with the Mavs. After leading the University of North Carolina to the 2017 NCAA Championship, he spent his first season and a half in Sacramento before being traded. In this interview, he talks about the UNC Brotherhood, being traded on Draft night, playing with Luka Doncic, his experiences in the Orlando bubble, and his feelings about racial justice and inclusiveness. A great interview with a real...
Nov 12, 2020•30 min•Ep. 82
John Fanta, the co-host of Pure Hoops Media's "Full Court Press with Fanta and Fischer" joins Monica McNutt and King McClure to preview the Men's and Women's college basketball season. They discuss what a season during the pandemic might look like, player of the year candidates, the top conferences, and their picks to win the National Championship. King and Monica also have their "Post Election" edition of "Who's Trippin," and the winner this week is actually a loser (and it isn't Donald Trump)....
Nov 05, 2020•53 min•Ep. 81
Christine Williamson of ESPN has carved out a special place in the digital media world. Her distinctive "Bald Girl" look is unique and a source of real pride. But it's her intelligence and sharp opinions that grab your attention. In this discussion with Monica and King, Christine shares her story, sounds off on life during the pandemic, and even joins in on the always exciting "Who's Trippin" segment. Check it out! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ...
Oct 29, 2020•55 min•Ep. 80
LeBron James was already on the short list of the best NBA players of all time. After leading his third franchise to a championship, has he reached the top of the list? How does he compare to Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, and others? Monica McNutt, King McClure, and Bruce Bernstein examine all of the candidates, make the case for each one, and share their picks as the GOAT. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...
Oct 15, 2020•53 min•Ep. 78
Monica and King are joined by producer Bruce to break down how the Lakers took a 3-1 lead over the Heat. Monica and King give love to Sue Bird and the Seattle Storm, the new WNBA Champions. We present the first #BBB Bubble Awards where Monica and King choose winners in some categories that no other podcast would dare touch. And finally, the always controversial "Who's Trippin," where King and Monica call out some bad decisions in the football world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac...
Oct 08, 2020•35 min•Ep. 77
The Lakers crushed the Heat in Game #1 and Miami lost PG Goran Dragic, so can the battered Heat bounce back and make it a series? Monica previews the WNBA Finals between Seattle and Las Vegas. Liz Cambage does a racy photo shoot, Mark Cuban tries to rescue a "down and out" former player, and King and Monica tell us "Who's Trippin?" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Oct 01, 2020•40 min•Ep. 76
Erica L. Ayala is a journalist and podcaster covering the WNBA. Monica & Erica discuss the W playoffs and the impact of female athletes on current societal issues. King McClure is on the inactive list this week but Bruce Bernstein fills in. Monica & Bruce break down Wednesday's Celtics/Heat game 4 and preview Thursday's game 4 between the Lakers and Nuggets. Monica dedicates "Who's Trippin?" to Breonna Taylor, whose killers were not charged in her death. And we pay tribute to recently de...
Sep 24, 2020•54 min•Ep. 75
Monica McNutt and King McClure discuss the shocking meltdown of the LA Clippers in the NBA Playoffs. King takes Kawhi Leonard to task for the collapse and suggests that he is overrated based on his analysis of how the Raptors continued to do well in his absence while the Clippers were .... still the Clippers when it came to playoff frustration. Minneapolis native Lea B. Olsen joins the show to discuss the WNBA Playoffs and how her hometown Lynx team is at the intersection of social activism and ...
Sep 17, 2020•57 min•Ep. 74
Boston tried to make the Raptors extinct in game 6, but the defending champs are a gritty bunch. The Miami Heat took down the top seeded Milwaukee Bucks and their bilingual Spanish language play by play man Jose Paneda shares the secrets to their success and shares his own story. Also, Monica McNutt & King McClure analyze what The Greek Freak needs to do in order to make the Bucks a championship team. And we also explore the phenomenon of "Playoff Rondo." Check out the Video Quick Hitter Seg...
Sep 10, 2020•56 min•Ep. 73
Gene Wang of the Washington Post joins Monica McNutt and King McClure for a discussion of the life and legacy of legendary former Georgetown head coach John Thompson, who passed away on August 30th at the age of 78. Gene covered Georgetown basketball for the Post and Monica played for the Hoyas. Both knew "Big John" very well and share some personal memories. Also, Monica and King analyze the wild and exciting NBA Playoffs and make some bold predictions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/p...
Sep 03, 2020•56 min•Ep. 72
George Floyd's killing at the hands of law enforcement triggered a national reckoning about race at the end of May. And on Sunday, another African American man named Jacob Blake was shot in his back seven times by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Led by Wisconsin's own basketball team: the Milwaukee Bucks, the NBA hit the brakes on the playoffs and the basketball world is figuring out what is next in the fight for racial justice. Monica McNutt and King McClure have a poignant discussion on the enti...
Aug 27, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 71
This week on "Buckets, Boards, & Bubble Ball," Monica McNutt and King McClure break down all eight NBA playoff series. King is super high on Damian Lillard and is sticking with his pre-series prediction of Portland over the Lakers. King also has some surprising things to say about LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounpo, the two leading MVP candidates. Monica also lets us know "Who's Trippin" and it isn't one of the players or the coaches. Monica and King even allow producer Bruce to comment o...
Aug 20, 2020•38 min•Ep. 70
Monica McNutt and King McClure do the latest edition of their insanely popular segment "Who's Trippin?" This week, King's beloved Big 12 Conference is in his crosshairs. King & Monica also break down the NBA's "just announced" rules on who can visit the bubble and why there is potential for all sorts of drama. Dorothy J. Gentry also joins the show to play "Legit or Nah" regarding which WNBA teams are potential champs and which ones don't have what it takes to win. See Privacy Policy at https...
Aug 13, 2020•43 min•Ep. 69
On this edition of Buckets, Boards and Blocks Monica and King delve into the NBA bubble from the crazy offensive performances, kneeling for the anthem, the deep roster of young talent in the western conference and what it means for the future, and much more! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Aug 06, 2020•47 min•Ep. 68
Monica McNutt and King McClure welcome Morgann Mitchell, who runs NBA TV's Twitter page with 4.6 million followers. She has been producing content from the Orlando Bubble and has great insight on what it's like to be in this unique environment. Monica and King also discuss his new found respect for the WNBA and whether the best WNBA team could make the MEN'S NCAA Tournament if they ever had a chance to compete with the guys. Also, in this week's episode of "Who's Trippin ?" King and Monica exami...
Jul 30, 2020•56 min•Ep. 67
Lauren Cox of the Indiana Fever was the #3 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft. She was a member of the 2019 NCAA Champion Baylor squad. According to King, since this year's March Madness was cancelled, they're STILL the defending champs. Lauren discusses being a rookie in the time of the pandemic as well as her own health concerns due to her Type 1 diabetes. Lauren also shares a very emotional story about her own brushes with racism and how her new team is showing unity at this critical time in...
Jul 24, 2020•37 min•Ep. 66
Monica McNutt and King McClure won't be in the NBA or WNBA bubbles, but that didn't stop them from planning and discussing how they'd survive 2-3 months in splendid isolation (except for practice and games). What essentials would they bring? What snacks would they stock? Whose music would get them through their various moods? And do they think Patrick Beverley is trippin' when he says the "Bubble's what you make it, Man." Also, they both check in with their thoughts on Kara Lawson's hiring as th...
Jul 17, 2020•53 min•Ep. 65
Jared Butler declared for the 2020 NBA Draft after his second season at Baylor. He was named All Big 12 and Third Team All America. He is also a good pal of Monica McNutt's new co-host King McClure. Those three chop it up in a fun conversation that includes some very revealing moments such as Jared's dream team of dinner companions. We also learn that 80% of the NBA teams have done Zoom interviews with Jared and he describes what they were like. Check us out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19....
Jul 09, 2020•46 min•Ep. 64
Monica McNutt and her brand new co-host King McClure welcome Tim Scarborough, who will be one of the analysts for TBT on ESPN and ESPN2. He is dialed in on every aspect of this increasingly popular tournament, which runs from July 4-14. This year all games are in Columbus, Ohio and the "bubble" environment will be studied extensively by the NBA as it prepares to resume its own season in late July. TBT is filled with former NBA ballers, up and comers, and everyone in between. The winning team tak...
Jul 02, 2020•49 min•Ep. 63
Cassidy Hubbarth of ESPN is one of the brightest minds in sports media. The host of "Hoop Streams" on ESPN+ as well as a top sideline reporter for ESPN's NBA games joins Monica McNutt and shares her thoughts on: Continuing to create content during the COVID-19 pandemic How society can hopefully evolve and become more inclusive The Kyrie Irving/Kendrick Perkins beef Balancing the demands of her work at ESPN with raising a toddler while working from home Michael Jordan's leadership style as portra...
Jun 25, 2020•52 min•Ep. 62
Ari joins Monica McNutt for a wide ranging discussion . Among their topics: The current societal strife in our country and how to bring people from different racial and ethnic groups together Empowering and supporting Women of Color in the media The concerns that some WNBA players have about returning to the court in late July How corporate America's perception of African Americans is evolving Monica & Ari discuss all of these topics and many others See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr...
Jun 18, 2020•47 min•Ep. 61
Renee Montgomery of the Atlanta Dream is highly engaged in the quest for social justice in the United States. In this wide ranging interview with Monica McNutt, the discussion covers Renee's background growing up in West Virginia, her time with the Minnesota Lynx and impressions of the fans in Minneapolis, her activism in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and her thoughts going into the upcoming WNBA season. Renee also has advice for young players being recruited by colleges and her su...
Jun 11, 2020•45 min•Ep. 60
