The Golden State Warriors keep piling up wins and the NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt weigh in with Kevin Spain on how good they are and how impressive Luke Walton has been as interim coach. They also look at how good Kristaps Porzingis looks for the New York Knicks so far and how Ryan Anderson has gotten hot for the New Orleans Pelicans. Everyone is doing the Dirk now - Dirk Nowitzki's influence on the tall shooter. The ageless wonders of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are leading the M...
Nov 24, 2015•42 min
USA TODAY Sports NBA reporter Sam Amick joins Kevin Spain to discuss why the Houston Rockets fired coach Kevin McHale 11 games into the season. The team was in the Western Conference finals last season, gave McHale a contract extension, and will have to eat a large sum of money. Amick spoke to Rockets general manager Daryl Morey about the move and speculates on what might happen moving forward.
Nov 18, 2015•8 min
Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick joins USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick by phone to talk about the team and the rivalry with the Golden State Warriors. They also discuss Redick's appreciation for good sports writing and his new tattoo.
Nov 18, 2015•37 min
The drama in Sacramento is only one of several teams who might have coaches on the hot seat. USA TODAY's Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break that down with NBA Editor Kevin Spain. Are George Karl, Byron Scott and Lionel Hollins in trouble? Who else might have a seat getting warm? The guys also talk about being at the Kevin Durant returns to Washington game and the DeAndre Jordan game. They give their airball and swish.
Nov 13, 2015•51 min
As the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Washington Wizards, it sparks the beginning of the Kevin Durant free agency period that will go through next summer. NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break it down with Kevin Spain from USA TODAY Sports. They discuss the Golden State Warriors tremendous start and how the week showcased DeAndre Jordan's first trip to Dallas since the free agent fiasco and LaMarcus Aldridge's return to Portland. Jeff and Sam break down what DLeague expansion will...
Nov 10, 2015•57 min
The NBA season is just getting started and yet, we know everything that's going to happen -- or, the early season overreactions. Stephen Curry will breeze to MVP, the Rockets and James Harden aren't good, the Pistons and Andre Drummond are great. Oh, and Kobe Bryant says he has sucked. NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt, who is out and about, tell you what's right and not with Kevin Spain from USA TODAY Sports. Zillgitt catches up with Chris Bosh after a recent practice and the guys giv...
Nov 03, 2015•40 min
USA TODAY Sports Sam Amick and Kevin Spain discuss the death of Flip Saunders and how that will affect the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. Amick sits down with TNT's Craig Sager, who is coming back for the second time after being treated for cancer. The guys talk about Amick's coverage of the Golden State Warriors staff playing a basketball game at San Quentin prison.
Oct 28, 2015•33 min
USA TODAY's Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt discuss the unfortunate Thabo Sefolosha and John Henson situations and how NBA players can face real racism. They talk about some interesting preseason performances and look ahead to the start of the season. They hit on the topic of Jim Buss and the Los Angeles Lakers, coming off a story Amick did for USA TODAY. They talk about where Zillgitt will be eating during opening week.
Oct 22, 2015•54 min
Josh Lloyd from RedRockBasketball.com joins USA TODAY Sports' Kevin Spain to cut through the noise and give you advice on who you should take in your fantasy basketball draft. They discuss who's underrated, overrated, rookies, guys on new teams and who should be your top pick at each position.
Oct 16, 2015•36 min
NBA reporter Sam Amick talks with USA TODAY Sports Martin Rogers, who is in Las Vegas covering the sad saga of Lamar Odom, who is fighting for his life after passing out in a Nevada brothel recently.
Oct 15, 2015•16 min
Thabo Sefolosha won his case against the New York City Police Department and that could lead to a civil suit, and USA TODAY Sports Jeff Zillgitt and Kevin Spain discuss. New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry and general manager Dell Demps talk about their team with Zillgitt and Sam Amick talks to David West about why he made the move to the San Antonio Spurs.
Oct 14, 2015•44 min
USA TODAY Sports Sam Amick and Kevin Spain discuss the crazy situation with New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher and Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes. Amick interviews Utah Jazz Gordon Hayward and Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace and LakersNation.com's Serena Winters when they were all in Hawaii for training camp.
Oct 09, 2015•59 min
Kobe Bryant is coming off another rehab and is on the floor as the Los Angeles Lakers get things going in the preseason. USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick is at Lakers camp in Hawaii and he and Kevin Spain discuss Bryant's return and how the team is bullish on the season. Amick has a short interview with Bryant and with Lakers coach Byron Scott after a workout.
Oct 05, 2015•34 min
Training camps are opening and several key players who were injured last season are returning. USA TODAY Sports reporter Sam Amick talks to Paul George about returning from a horrible injury, his new role with the team, and his rating on 2K16. Amick and Kevin Spain discuss other players who are coming back and how they will impact their teams.
Sep 28, 2015•41 min
Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti announced that superstar Kevin Durant will be ready when the team opens training camp on Sept. 28. USA TODAY Sports NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break down what this means for the Thunder and beyond.
Sep 23, 2015•21 min
In this episode of NBA A to Z, Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports look ahead to the Eastern Conference. Will it be the Cleveland Cavaliers' conference to lose? Can the Chicago Bulls, or Washington Wizards or Milwaukee Bucks offer a challenge. Who will be the surprise team? Who will be the disappointing team?
Sep 21, 2015•33 min
Will the Golden State Warriors win the Western Conference again this season? Will a new and improved San Antonio Spurs get back to the top? Can another team sneak in there? The NBA A to Z guys Jeff Zillgitt and Sam Amick break it down. They look at what team might surprise and might disappoint and Amick picks his conference winner.
Sep 18, 2015•31 min
With the NBA season nearing, Golden State Warriors forward and resident NBA champion Draymond Green joined Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt on the NBA A to Z to discuss, among other things, his decision to donate $3.1 million to his alma mater, Michigan State. Amick and Zillgitt discuss with Kevin Spain the NBA playoffs and Zillgitt's return from cancer surgery.
Sep 10, 2015•43 min
With the NBA season still a few weeks away, we ask the question, is this really the final season for Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant? NBA A to Z's Sam Amick talks to Bill Oram from the Orange County Register and Mark Medina from the LA Daily News about Bryant and the Lakers in general.
Sep 02, 2015•23 min
With Team USA mini-camp over, Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports discusses how things went in Las Vegas with Kevin Spain, USA TODAY NBA editor. With all the talent on this team, can any other country put together a roster to compete with them? Amick picks his starting five, not an easy task and he spends a couple of minutes with Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley.
Aug 16, 2015•33 min
The NBA schedule was released and Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports and Kevin Spain, NBA Editor for USA TODAY take a look at how the league wanted to reduce the number of back to back games and how many times teams play four games in five nights. They also break down the Christmas Day schedule, which is the showcase day for the regular season and ponder if this will be Kobe Bryant's last time to play that day.
Aug 14, 2015•41 min
USA TODAY Sports NBA editor Kevin Spain talks to reporter Jeff Zillgitt about what it means that LeBron James says he'll work out with Team USA at the minicap in mid-August. The guys also discuss how James' teammates Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith haven't signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers and why. Zillgitt breaks down why the NBA owners and players have no reason to opt out of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement when they can after this upcoming season.
Aug 05, 2015•54 min
The Milwaukee Bucks will stay in Wisconsin after the state passed a bill approving a new arena. USA TODAY Sports NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt and NBA editor Kevin Spain discuss what that means for the city, the team and the league. They also talk about the offseason moves made by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who appear to be even better than last season. Zillgitt has a conversation with Doug McDermott of the Chicago Bulls and the guys talk about what rookies could make the biggest impact this season....
Jul 28, 2015•1 hr 3 min
As NBA Summer League wraps up, USA TODAY Sports Sam Amick discusses some post league moves, including the Ty Lawson trade with Kevin Spain. Amick has an interview with San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon, who talks about working with Gregg Popovich, how her relationship with her father and brother influenced her now and how much she appreciates having a job coaching in the NBA.
Jul 20, 2015•41 min
The best part of the NBA offseason is the drama that goes with it. USA TODAY Sports Sam Amick discusses how some of the rookies at the Las Vegas Summer League are not off to a great start with Kevin Spain. The guys also talk about some of the big news around the league, like the awkward handshake between Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and coach George Karl and the craziness and fallout of the DeAndre Jordan situation with the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks.
Jul 14, 2015•43 min
As some of the big names in free agency agree to deals, it's apparent that some of the teams that were already among the best in the league, just got better. Kevin Spain and Sam Amick from USA TODAY Sports discuss the bargain agreement former All-Star David West made with the San Antonio Spurs and the deal Marc Gasol is making to stay in Memphis. A to Z guys Amick and Jeff Zillgitt talk to San Antonio Express News reporter Jeff McDonald about the Spurs getting the top prize in free agency LaMarc...
Jul 06, 2015•45 min
As free agency tips off, the NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt analyze what has happened so far with USA TODAY Sports' Kevin Spain. The guys discuss the Kevin Love deal, Dwyane Wade and Greg Monroe and talk about how Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard being locked up by their teams were two of the biggest moves. Spain talks to Gerry Vallaincourt, longtime NBA analyst out of New Orleans on the Davis contract. The guys discuss the most interesting moves so far. Follow them on twitter @sam_a...
Jul 03, 2015•40 min
The NBA draft is approaching the A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt talk about some of their recent interviews of potential draftees with Kevin Spain of USA TODAY Sports. They discuss Phil Jackson's first draft with the New York Knicks and what he's looking for. They talk about the interesting situation with Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and the A to Z guys pick the top free agent who could be with another team next season.
Jun 24, 2015•40 min
Quick look back at the NBA Finals with Kevin Spain of USA TODAY Sports and the NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt. The guys discuss the MVP voting and ask could the Cavaliers and Warriors meet in the Finals again next season. They also take an early peek at what teams might be making some moves to try to improve and what new coach might make the biggest impact on his team.
Jun 17, 2015•35 min
Kevin Spain of USA TODAY Sports discusses with NBA reporter Sam Amick how the Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr made a key adjustment in the NBA Finals, starting a smaller lineup that turned the tide against the Cleveland Cavaliers and go into Game 5 with momentum. They also discuss how we haven't yet seen the best of Stephen Curry and how this year's Finals are winning big in the ratings game.
Jun 12, 2015•26 min
