The NBA A to Z guys wrap up the NBA season in the wee hours following Game 7 of the Finals. They break down how the Cleveland Cavaliers won an improbable title, coming from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the Warriors 4-3. They hit on the surprising good game from Kevin Love and how much Kyrie Irving came through for the Cavs. A big discussion is how LeBron James reasserted himself as the best player in the game, whereas Steph Curry had been the guy during the regular season. The are joined by SB N...
Jun 20, 2016•44 min
In the late hours following Game 6, NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break down what happened in the Cavaliers’ big win. The guys assess the problems the Warriors ran into and what they’ll need to address as the series heads back to Oakland for Game 7. LeBron James was again outstanding, getting 41 points for the second game in a row, but was equally good on the boards and as a passer. They break down the fact that the Warriors haven’t lost three games in a row since Steve Kerr took o...
Jun 17, 2016•24 min
From the parking lot of Oracle Arena, NBA A to Z's Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt breakdown the 41 point performances from Kyrie Irving and LeBron James. It was the first time teammates scored more than 40 points in an NBA Finals game. By winning Game 5, the Cavaliers send the series back to Cleveland for Game 6. Amick and Zillgitt make their picks for that game.
Jun 14, 2016•15 min
Remember Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson? Yeah, we do too. Especially after they broke out of their slump to lead the Golden State Warriors to an NBA Finals Game 4 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break down this game and look ahead to Game 5 in Oakland. They also explore what might happen to Draymond Green after his scuffle with LeBron James.
Jun 11, 2016•15 min
So where did this Cleveland Cavaliers team come from? After looking overmatched in the first two games of the NBA Finals, the Cavs come alive and blow out the Golden State Warriors. A to Z guys Jeff Zillgitt and Sam Amick break it down from an empty Quicken Loans Arena. They also look ahead to Game 4 and explore how Cleveland can keep this run going.
Jun 09, 2016•20 min
Mychal Thompson, member of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Showtime era and father of Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, agrees with his son that this Warriors team would beat his. Mychal Thompson joined Sam Amick for a quick chat about why and about how good this team is. Kevin Spain and Amick set it up on how good the Warriors have been and they discuss the travel woes of USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt.
Jun 07, 2016•19 min
Now that the Golden State Warriors are up 2-0 in the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt ask if the series is over. They discuss how poorly the Cavs have played in the series so far, how good the Warriors have been all season, and ponder how this series can be salvaged. They break down the matchups, look ahead to Game 3 in Cleveland and make their picks.
Jun 06, 2016•19 min
Game 1 of the NBA Finals goes to the Golden State Warriors in convincing fashion and the A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break it down with USA TODAY's Kevin Spain. While the guys are talking, they are joined by ESPN's Amin Elhassan, who gives his opinion on why Cleveland just can't expect to win because Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving are back in the lineup. Then Amick, Zillgitt and Spain give their pick for Game 2.
Jun 03, 2016•15 min
The Cleveland Cavaliers get another shot at the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals and the A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break it down. The guys look at the how the two teams got there and their season matchups. They make their predictions on who will win.
Jun 01, 2016•41 min
USA TODAY’s Michael Singer and draft guru Derek Bodner break down why the Philadelphia 76ers could very well take LSU’s Ben Simmons with the top pick in the upcoming NBA draft. They also break down the game of Duke’s Brandon Ingram and why he has an outside chance of moving ahead of Simmons. Looking at the Boston Celtics, they chat about what staying where they are could do for the team and the possibility of moving out and how that might work. They look back at the NBA combine and how it’s cond...
Jun 01, 2016•35 min
The NBA game is evolving into a spread the floor and going outside in. Guys like Stephen Curry have helped revolutionize the game. His brother Seth Curry took a step forward in his development as an NBA player last season with the Sacramento Kings, getting some time at the end of the season that he hopes will help him get a full-time playing gig next season. He joins USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick to discuss his past season and the future. They also talk about today’s game and how he and the Curry ...
May 21, 2016•28 min
Ever wonder what it’s like to be on the inside of a championship team? USA TODAY’s Sam Amick talks to Golden State Warriors assistant general manager Travis Schlenk. They discuss everything from how life is with the team on the road, what it’s like after wins and losses and how to keep building a team when you pick at the end of the draft. They also talk about what the team thought of Draymond Green when he was at Michigan State and what he thinks of how good Stephen Curry is now....
May 20, 2016•35 min
The Toronto Raptors have gone farther in the playoffs than ever in franchise history by moving to the Eastern Conference finals. NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break down Toronto's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Zillgitt, who is talking from the arena floor at the Air Canada Centre, breaks down the Raptors run to get here and how the Cavaliers have played better and better as the season went on. The guys make their predictions in the series.
May 16, 2016•22 min
As his team moves on to the Western Conference finals, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan has matched wits with veteran coaches Rick Carlisle in Dallas and Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, and won. He talks about going up against those guys and the adjustments his team made with USA TODAY’s Sam Amick. They also look ahead to the conference finals series against the defending champion Golden State Warriors and what he thinks about his guys, led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, as that ...
May 15, 2016•39 min
In the minutes after giving his speech for winning the NBA’s most valuable player award, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry joined USA TODAY’s Sam Amick on the phone. The two discuss his award, the first time a player ever got all first place votes. They also talk about the crazy season and how he has had to watch some of the playoffs because of injury.
May 12, 2016•9 min
Former NBA player and TNT personality Grant Hill and USA TODAY's Sam Amick have a phone conversation to talk about the top current stories in the NBA. They discuss Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry being the unanimous choice for league most valuable player. They talk about what makes Curry such a great player and his reputation for being a good guy off the court. They discuss the playoffs and the outstanding series between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
May 11, 2016•20 min
What to make of the coaching changes that have happened in the NBA? Breaking it down is Jeff Zillgitt and Sam Amick, USA TODAY NBA reporters and A to Z guys. They take a look at the latest moves involving Dave Jeerer and Frank Vogel, but they also break down Luke Walton going to the Los Angeles Lakers, Tom Thibodeau headed to Minnesota and Scott Brooks going to Washington. They also discuss what’s next for David Blatt, former coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They chat about the jobs in Sacram...
May 08, 2016•34 min
Not many coaches have made the leap from college to the NBA and been successful right off the bat. Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY NBA reporter, sat down with one of those guys, Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The two discuss the move Donovan made, what he's learned on the job and his relationship with Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Apr 28, 2016•18 min
Injuries are starting to again be the story of the NBA playoffs. Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin … key players missing time. What has this done to the playoffs? NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt talk about that with USA TODAY’s Kevin Spain. They break down the Clippers now without Paul, discussing how well he has played this season, especially down the stretch without Griffin. They look at the Warriors and how it changes their attack without Curry and how this team has adjuste...
Apr 26, 2016•57 min
Los Angeles Clippers Jamal Crawford was voted Sixth Man of the Year, the third time he's won the award, and nobody in the history of the NBA has done that. A to Z man Sam Amick caught up with Crawford after the award was announced to chat about that, the Clippers and the playoffs.
Apr 20, 2016•15 min
With NBA awards season underway, NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt look at their picks in the second part of the two-part episode. The Defensive Player of the Year award was given out, won by Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs, the guys discuss. Leonard joins Jeff for a couple minutes on what the award means to him. Then the guys break down MVP and Coach of the Year.
Apr 19, 2016•22 min
Steph Curry talks to USA TODAY’s Sam Amick about his incredible three-point shooting and how he has changed the game. They discuss how other teams are trying to space the floor and open up shooters, emulating what he and the Golden State Warriors are doing. Curry said he’s flattered how even kids are trying to play the game like he does. He talks about discovering how he might be this generation’s Michael Jordan and the spotlight on he and his team. They discuss the idea that Curry could be the ...
Apr 15, 2016•27 min
With Kobe Bryant's retirement looming, USA TODAY put together a project called "The Kobe Files". The six-part series takes a look at the Lakers star from his days at Lower Merion High School, his off the court visitation with a family of a terminally ill son, how he got to the Lakers and almost didn't get to the Lakers. Martin Rogers, who was one of main reporters on the project, talks to NBA Editor Kevin Spain about it. Later in the show, Bryant does an interview with Steve Springer, former L.A...
Apr 13, 2016•25 min
As Kobe Bryant's career winds down, Getty News Services photographer Andy Bernstein joins Sam Amick to discuss shooting photos of the Lakers star for the past 20 years. They also discuss other photos Bernstein shot, including the iconic Michael Jordan with the NBA championship trophy being hugged by his father. L.A. Daily News reporter Mark Medina also joins Amick to discuss how Bryant has changed in the past few seasons.
Apr 13, 2016•1 hr 1 min
As the NBA season winds down, the A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt take a look at postseason awards, starting with Sixth Man of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Sam is joined by Enes Kanter of the Oklahoma City Thunder for his take on being a candidate for Sixth Man. Later, Karl-Anthony Towns discusses how little he cares about individual awards.
Apr 10, 2016•35 min
When Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie resigned recently, he wrote a 13-page letter to the owners of the team. That letter was leaked to the public and it had quotes attributed to people like Warren Buffett and Abraham Lincolin. NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt discuss the resignation, the state of the Sixers and most importantly, the letter. That is what everyone in the league has been talking about.
Apr 08, 2016•40 min
Can the Detroit Pistons end the longest playoff drought in the Eastern Conference and make the playoffs? NBA A to Z guy Jeff Zillgitt welcomes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press to talk about how the team has their best shot at the playoffs since 2008. They also discuss what it's like to cover a colorful coach like Stan Van Gundy on a regular basis. They give their take on which job Van Gundy does better: player personnel or coaching. Ellis then gives his picks to be in the NBA Finals and win...
Apr 07, 2016•22 min
With the Golden State Warriors closing in on the NBA's best regular season record, USA TODAY NBA reporter Sam Amick caught up with assistant coach Ron Adams and head coach Steve Kerr. Adams, a noted basketball defensive guru, talks about the pressures of the streak -- winning at home and the all-time record -- and his role in the team's success. Kerr has a quick note about the streak and if the team is pushing for it.
Apr 05, 2016•19 min
The crazy story of Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell taping teammate Nick Young talking about some personal issues and the tape getting out has been the big story in the NBA the past couple of days. It has overshadowed the Kobe Bryant farewell tour. Lamar Odom made an appearance at a recent Lakers game. NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt bring on Lakers beat reporter Bill Oram to discuss the story and what it has meant to someone trying to cover this team.
Mar 31, 2016•36 min
Scott Cacciola of the New York Times joins the NBA A to Z podcast to discuss covering the Golden State Warriors with Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt. They talk about how Stephen Curry is even better this season than last. It also seems like at times that things come so easy for the Warriors that they might be bored on the floor. Cacciola talks about the decision to go on the road to cover the Warriors instead of spending most of his time staying in New York and covering the Knicks.
Mar 31, 2016•42 min
