In this episode of Locked on NBA Big Board, the Barlowe brothers, Rafael and James, analyze the latest rookie performances from the 2024 NBA Draft class. They start with a deep dive into the matchup between the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks, where French rookies Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr squared off. Sarr made his presence felt defensively, recording four blocks, a steal, and nine points, despite struggling offensively. Risacher, meanwhile, impressed with a career-high 17 points. W...
Oct 31, 2024•35 min•Ep. 189
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin dive deep into the new era of Kentucky basketball under head coach Mark Pope, who has replaced the legendary John Calipari. Known for his one-and-done talent pipeline to the NBA, Calipari helped shape Kentucky into a powerhouse that churned out 50 NBA draft picks, including 25 lottery selections over his 15-year tenure. But this season, the Wildcats look different. Pope has constructed one of Kentucky’s ...
Oct 30, 2024•36 min•Ep. 188
In Rookie Watch Vol. 2 , Rafael and James Barlowe analyze Monday night’s rookie performances, opening with the highly anticipated but ultimately underwhelming matchup between top picks Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr. The French duo struggled, combining for just 4-19 shooting with nine fouls, raising questions about Sarr’s shot selection and his tendency to settle for threes rather than attacking the paint. The brothers debate whether Sarr’s issues are due to Washington’s lackluster point guard...
Oct 29, 2024•34 min•Ep. 187
In this episode of Locked On NBA Big Board , Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the early challenges facing the 2024 rookie class just a few games into the NBA season. Rafael kicks things off by testing James’s knowledge on which rookie currently leads the class in scoring through three games—setting the tone for a deep breakdown of the rookie landscape. The brothers first spotlight the Raptors’ rookie class, praising Jamison Battle, Jamal Shead, and Jonathan Mogbo for delivering early impacts. ...
Oct 28, 2024•42 min•Ep. 186
In this episode, of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the much-anticipated rookie debuts from the 2024 NBA Draft Class. The Barlowe Brothers break down the standout performance of Yves Missi, who shined for the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 12 points, pulling down 7 rebounds, and recording 3 blocks in an impressive debut. On the flip side, they discuss Zach Edey’s rough start, where he fouled out in just 15 minutes and became a focal point of the Utah Jazz’s ...
Oct 24, 2024•38 min•Ep. 185
On the latest Locked On NBA Big Board episode, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the uncertain futures of 2021 lottery picks Davion Mitchell, Ziaire Williams, James Bouknight, Josh Primo, and Chris Duarte, all of whom are entering pivotal make-or-break seasons. With the rookie extension deadline passing, these five players find themselves still surrounded by uncertainty, unlike several of their peers from the 2021 class who secured new deals. Rafael and James discuss the varied factors co...
Oct 23, 2024•37 min•Ep. 184
In the latest Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast , the crew—Rafael Barlowe, James Barlowe, Leif Thulin, and Richard Stayman—dive into their 2025 NBA rookie predictions. They cover a range of topics, including their picks for Rookie of the Year and selections for both the first and second All-Rookie teams. The discussion also explores how many rookies will earn starting spots on opening night and speculates on first-rounders likely heading to the NBA G League. Additionally, the team weighs in on the...
Oct 22, 2024•39 min•Ep. 183
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin dive into Duke’s dominant exhibition win over Lincoln, with a focus on top NBA prospects Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, and Tyrese Proctor. Flagg delivered a standout performance, finishing with 22 points, 6 assists, and a string of highlight plays, while Knueppel impressed from deep, hitting 5 of 7 from beyond the arc and totaling 17 points. On the flip side, Maluach had a tough night offensively...
Oct 21, 2024•33 min•Ep. 182
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, titled The International Draft Files, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Alec Kichian dive into the top international prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft. They begin by analyzing the performances of Noah Essengue and Ben Saraf in a recent game against the Portland Trail Blazers, before turning their attention to French point guard Nolan Traore, a projected top-5 pick known for his flashes of brilliance but inconsistent efficiency. The conversation then ...
Oct 20, 2024•37 min•Ep. 181
On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin dive into the question of whether NBA teams overthought key prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft. They debate if Portland will regret taking Donovan Clingan over Zach Edey, analyzing early preseason returns from both players. The hosts also explore how NBA teams may have overthought Dalton Knecht’s potential, letting him slip to the Los Angeles Lakers at pick 17, where he’s already making an impact. Lastly, t...
Oct 19, 2024•36 min•Ep. 180
On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe, break down a series of impressive performances from top prospects and rookies. They start by discussing the stellar debuts of Rutgers freshmen Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, highlighting Bailey’s shot selection and debating whether he could overtake Cooper Flagg as the potential No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. They also dive into Harper’s poised 20-point performance, which, while strong, was overshadowed by B...
Oct 18, 2024•37 min•Ep. 179
On the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the standout performances of ultra-young 2025 NBA Draft prospects Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue, who impressed in Ratiopharm Ulm's recent matchup. Despite being just 18 and 17 years old, both players made the most of their minutes, giving scouts a real glimpse of their potential. Rafael and James break down their individual strengths, developmental paths, and areas needing improvement, with James ...
Oct 17, 2024•32 min•Ep. 178
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe break down standout rookie performances from Tuesday night’s preseason action. The brothers dive into Pacome Dadiet’s strong debut for the Knicks, where the first-round pick put up 16 points and 5 rebounds. They also highlight Tyler Kolek’s near triple-double performance and Ariel Hukporti’s impressive athleticism. In the second segment, they analyze Tidjane Salaun’s 13-point outing, focusing on his defense, s...
Oct 16, 2024•36 min•Ep. 177
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe break down Zach Edey’s dominant performance against the Indiana Pacers, where the rookie center put up 23 points and 9 rebounds, showcasing his ability to dominate on the block. They also highlight Jaylen Wells, who continues to impress for the Memphis Grizzlies, adding 12 points and 6 rebounds while leading the team in preseason scoring. The Barlowe brothers discuss Zaccharie Risacher, the number one ov...
Oct 15, 2024•36 min•Ep. 176
In the 5th installment of the Locked On NBA Big Board preseason rookie reports, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe break down the latest standout performances from the weekend. Ryan Dunn continues to impress for the Phoenix Suns, transforming into a dangerous 3-point shooter after struggling in college (23% from deep) and the summer league (1-13). Dunn hit an impressive 6-of-11 from beyond the arc against the Nuggets, and the Barlowe brothers discuss his rapid improvement. Cody Williams’ assertive 1...
Oct 14, 2024•36 min•Ep. 175
In the latest episode of Locked On NBA Big Board titled "Jazz Juggling Act: Push for the Playoffs or Punt for Picks?", hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin dive into the Utah Jazz’s dilemma for the 2024-25 season. The episode begins with a deep discussion on whether the Jazz should aim for a playoff spot or tank for a high pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. In the second segment, Barlowe and Thulin focus on identifying the Jazz’s long-term core, highlighting Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George as key fo...
Oct 12, 2024•36 min•Ep. 174
In the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe break down the rookie performances from Thursday night’s NBA preseason action. While most rookies like AJ Johnson, Jaylon Tyson, Dalton Knecht, and Tidjane Salaun are still battling for defined roles, Zach Edey stands out as the only rookie who played on Thursday night with a clearer path to early rotation minutes. AJ Johnson bounced back with 13 points, showing poise and better decision-making after a shaky debut. Jay...
Oct 11, 2024•38 min•Ep. 173
In the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe break down the standout rookie performances from Wednesday night’s NBA preseason action. Washington Wizards rookie Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had another strong game, finishing with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 assists against the New York Knicks, building on his solid performance earlier in the week. The Barlowe brothers also highlight Stephon Castle’s 17-point effort for the Sp...
Oct 10, 2024•37 min•Ep. 172
In the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe break down standout rookie performances from Tuesday night's NBA action. They start by analyzing No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher's impressive 18-point debut, followed by Kel’el Ware’s strong all-around game, where he posted 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks against the Hornets. The Barlowe brothers also highlight Tidjane Salaun’s back-to-back double-digit scoring games, drawing comparisons to Michael Porter Jr. for his...
Oct 09, 2024•39 min•Ep. 171
In the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Richard Stayman dive into the recent play of Karim Lopez, Zach Edey and Jazian Gortman in NBA preseason games. In the first segment, they discuss 17-year-old Karim Lopez, a potential lottery pick for the 2026 NBA Draft. Lopez has already built an impressive résumé, with professional experience in Europe, stints with the Mexican national team, and now playing in the NBL. The hosts break down his 13-point, 7-rebound, 3-assist ...
Oct 08, 2024•36 min•Ep. 170
On the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe breakdown the preseason debuts of 10 rookies, offering insights into their performances and potential roles this season. Rob Dillingham made an impression with 21 points, four assists, and a +10 plus/minus against the Lakers. Alex Sarr showcased his versatility, posting 15 points and a block while shooting 75% from the field. Ron Holland’s all-around game included 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists, whi...
Oct 08, 2024•37 min•Ep. 169
In part two of the Barlowe Brothers’ Mock Draft 1.0, picks 15 through 30 were revealed, and four teams dominated the back half of the first round, controlling 9 of the 16 picks. The Orlando Magic started this segment by selecting Derik Queen at 15, followed by the Jazz choosing Laim McNeeley at 16. The Indiana Pacers grabbed Hugo Gonzalez at 17, while the Hawks went with Zvonimir Ivisc at 18. The Grizzlies opted for Boogie Fland at 19, and the Warriors selected Hamad Mousa at 20. The Rockets too...
Oct 07, 2024•36 min•Ep. 168
In this episode of the Locked On Big Board podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the exciting world of the NBA Draft with their Mock Draft 1.0. Using Tankathon.com’s lottery simulator, they simulate the draft order, and the Toronto Raptors, with just a 26% chance, win the lottery and land the coveted No. 1 pick. The Raptors choose Cooper Flagg, the early favorite to go first overall in next June’s NBA Draft. The episode takes listeners into the Barlowe Brothers' home offices, which they tu...
Oct 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 167
In this episode of Locked On NBA Big Board, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into ESPN’s latest No. 1 pick odds, with Cooper Flagg leading the pack at 51%, followed by Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, and Nolan Traore. The brothers discuss an NBA executive's comments on the importance of keeping an open mind in the draft process, particularly regarding Flagg’s offensive upside and potential as a franchise player. They also break down Bailey and Harper's performances in Rutgers’ recent ...
Oct 04, 2024•34 min•Ep. 166
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin dive into Arkansas Basketball's revamped roster under new head coach John Calipari, exploring the Razorbacks’ NBA prospects for the 2024-25 season. After securing the No. 1 ranked transfer portal class, Calipari brought in familiar faces from Kentucky, including DJ Wagner, Adou Thiero, and Zvonimir Ivisic. They also discuss the return of Trevon Brazile, who decided to stay for his third year in Fayettevi...
Oct 03, 2024•36 min•Ep. 165
On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Alec Kichian dive into the mystery surrounding Barcelona's rising star, Mohamed Dabone. Officially listed as being born in 2011, many speculate that Dabone might actually be closer to 15 or 16, with some sources suggesting a birth year of 2008. This discrepancy has fueled debate about his long-term development trajectory and whether his age impacts his status as a prospect. Despite the questions, Barlowe and Kichian...
Oct 01, 2024•35 min•Ep. 164
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast , Rafael and James Barlowe take a deep dive into Arkansas freshman Boogie Fland’s journey to the NBA draft. The brothers also explore his decision to join Arkansas and how he fits within their system, given their deep backcourt rotation. In the second segment, Rafael and James break down Fland’s on-court strengths. They discuss his creative scoring ability, shifty ball-handling, and his effectiveness as both a playmaker and shooter. Fland’s ...
Oct 01, 2024•33 min•Ep. 163
In this episode of The Underdog Diaries , Rafael and James Barlowe shine a spotlight on three overlooked NBA prospects who have the potential to break through to the next level. First up is Montana's Money Williams , a crafty left-handed guard out of Oakland with a game full of creative playmaking and advanced court vision. Despite a foot injury reminiscent of Damian Lillard’s college days, Williams showed flashes of brilliance before going down, averaging 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assi...
Oct 01, 2024•33 min•Ep. 162
On this rare Saturday episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, the Barlowe Brothers—Rafael and James—unveil the first installment of their new series, "THE UNDERDOG DIARIES," where they shine a light on under-the-radar prospects. In episode one, they dive into the journeys of Jerry Deng , Erik Reynolds II , and Rasheer Fleming . Deng, a 6'9" wing, averaged 10.1 points and 4.2 rebounds on impressive 46/39/79 shooting splits during his season at Hampton University before transferring to Flo...
Sep 28, 2024•34 min•Ep. 161
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Richard Stayman break down some of the most exciting NBL prospects in the Next Star Program, with a focus on Alex Toohey, Lachlan Olbrich, Rocco Zikarsky, and Karim Lopez. They dive into Alex Toohey’s decision to stay home with the Sydney Kings for his second NBL season, bypassing his Gonzaga commitment, and highlight his potential as a versatile wing with an eye on the 2025 NBA Draft. Olbrich’s breakout seaso...
Sep 27, 2024•38 min•Ep. 160
