In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the NBA's Christmas Day slate, Draymond Green's new extension and Carmelo Anthony's future. Which games stand out on the NBA's Christmas Day slate? Did the Golden State Warriors get a steal with Green's new four-year, $100 million extension? Which teams make sense as a potential landing spot for Anthony? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more. Follow us on Twitte...
Aug 05, 2019•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) is joined by Bleacher Report's NBA Draft lead writer Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) to discuss summer-league standouts and the 2020 draft class. Which second-year players stood out at summer league? Which rookies already look like draft-day steals? Did any players raise red flags? How does the 2020 draft class look at the moment? Is LaMelo Ball a future top-five pick? Check out the episode to hear Bryan and Jonathan discuss all of...
Aug 03, 2019•58 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) is joined by special guest Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) to discuss life as an NBA video coordinator and the upcoming battle for L.A. What do video coordinators do on a day-to-day basis? How is preparing for the regular season different than the playoffs? What's the secret to avoiding information overload? Can Frank Vogel get the Lakers' defense on track? How should teams attack the Clippers this season? Check out the episode to hear Brya...
Jul 31, 2019•1 hr 8 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) power rank the new-look Eastern Conference in the wake of free agency. Which team should be the favorite in the East, the Milwaukee Bucks or Philadelphia 76ers? Which teams look like playoff locks? Which teams could sneak in as a No. 7 or No. 8 seed? And which teams should already be looking ahead to 2020? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more. Follow us on Twitter: @Th...
Jul 24, 2019•1 hr 8 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and Bleacher Report senior NBA writer Howard Beck attempt to sort out the new-look Western Conference. Which team should enter the 2019-20 season as the favorite in the West? Where do the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers rank after their big offseason moves? Are the Golden State Warriors in danger of missing the playoffs? And what does all of this superstar shuffling mean for team-building moving forward...
Jul 19, 2019•1 hr 19 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their instant reaction to Russell Westbrook being traded to the Houston Rockets. How does Westbrook fit with James Harden on the court? Did the Rockets give up too much to get him? Where does this trade leave the Oklahoma City Thunder? Should they be looking to trade Chris Paul immediately? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod...
Jul 12, 2019•46 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Russell Westbrook's trade value and which teams should be attempting to acquire him. What should the Oklahoma City Thunder want in exchange for Westbrook? How could the Miami Heat make a deal work given their hard-cap issues? Does he make sense for the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers or Orlando Magic? Should the Phoenix Suns or New York Knicks pursue a midseason trade for him instead? Check out...
Jul 10, 2019•1 hr 1 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) go through the biggest winners and losers from a wild first week of NBA free agency. Which teams came out ahead in free agency? Which teams should have some regrets? And who does the jury remain out on? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Jul 07, 2019•1 hr 16 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their immediate reaction to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George heading to the Los Angeles Clippers. Are the Clippers now the NBA title favorites in 2019-20? How will the Los Angeles Lakers bounce back after missing out on Leonard? Should the Oklahoma City Thunder consider trading Russell Westbrook after shipping George to L.A.? What's next for the Toronto Raptors after losing Leonard for nothing? Check out ...
Jul 06, 2019•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the big signings from Day 2 of 2019 NBA free agency. Who came out ahead in the four-team Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade? Are the Knicks actually doing something smart in free agency? How will Seth Curry fare in Dallas? Have NBA teams learned their lesson about overpaying traditional big men? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod...
Jul 02, 2019•1 hr 10 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) react to the Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade, Al Horford signing with the Philadelphia 76ers and D'Angelo Russell going to the Golden State Warriors. How will the Heat structure the Butler sign-and-trade to make it legal? Are the Sixers now better than they were last year after getting Horford and Josh Richardson? How does Russell fit with the Warriors? Are the Pelicans going to make the playoffs after acquirin...
Jul 01, 2019•57 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their instant reaction to the first free-agent signings of the summer. Did Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks just win Executive of the Year after signing Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan and Garrett Temple? Why did the Charlotte Hornets give Terry Rozier a three-year, $58 million deal? Which were the best- and worst-value contracts handed out in the first hour? Check out the episode to...
Jul 01, 2019•1 hr 13 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) catch up on the latest NBA free-agency rumors and predict where the top non-max free agents might land. How realistic is a Houston Rockets sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler? Would the Boston Celtics be better off divvying up their cap space rather than going after Kemba Walker? Where might Al Horford, Nikola Vucevic, Julius Randle, DeMarcus Cousins and Brook Lopez land? What about JJ Redick, Bojan Bogdanovic,...
Jun 28, 2019•1 hr 19 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) react to the NBA awards show and discuss landing spots for the top free agents on the market. Was Masai Ujiri robbed in the Executive of the Year race? Who came out ahead in the Kent Bazemore-Evan Turner trade? Should the Brooklyn Nets go after Kyrie Irving with or without Kevin Durant attached? Will Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler stay with the Philadelphia 76ers? Should Kawhi Leonard stay with the Toronto ...
Jun 25, 2019•1 hr 13 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) walk through the biggest winners and losers of the 2019 NBA draft. Did any team have a better night than the New Orleans Pelicans? How bright is the Memphis Grizzlies' future after landing Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke? Who else had a night to remember? And what in the world are the Phoenix Suns doing? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAP...
Jun 21, 2019•1 hr 18 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Mike Conley trade, the Houston Rockets' latest drama and Al Horford's free-agent options. Does adding Conley cement the Utah Jazz as legitimate Western Conference contenders? Did the Memphis Grizzlies get enough for him? Can the Rockets smooth things over between James Harden and Chris Paul? If Al Horford leaves the Celtics, where might he go this summer? Check out the episode to hear Morten and...
Jun 19, 2019•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) welcome Sam Vecenie (@sam_vecenie) of The Athletic to preview the 2019 NBA draft before discussing the fallout from the Anthony Davis trade. Where does Zion Williamson rank among top prospects in recent years? Should the Pelicans trade the No. 4 pick? Should the Grizzlies trade Mike Conley this week? Which mid-round prospects should teams be targeting? Did the Lakers really forget to negotiate the timing of...
Jun 18, 2019•1 hr 13 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their immediate reaction to Anthony Davis being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Will getting Davis enable the Lakers to sign a third max star this summer? Did they give up too much for him? Will the Pelicans flip some of the assets they got from the Lakers? Who were the biggest winners and losers from the trade? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more. Follow us on...
Jun 15, 2019•43 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what's next for the Raptors, Warriors and the NBA at large after Toronto won the 2019 NBA title. With Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson both having suffered serious injuries, is the Warriors' dynasty over? How will other teams approach this summer now knowing the 2019-20 title picture is wide-open? Will Kawhi Leonard stay with the Raptors? What's the latest on the Anthony Davis trade front? Check out t...
Jun 14, 2019•1 hr 6 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss how Kevin Durant's Achilles injury will impact the NBA Finals and free agency moving forward. Can the Golden State Warriors win Games 6 and 7 without Durant? Is anyone to blame for his injury? Should he consider picking up his 2019-20 player option rather than testing free agency? How does his injury affect the New York Knicks' free-agent options? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discu...
Jun 11, 2019•51 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether the Golden State Warriors can come back from a 3-1 deficit in the 2019 NBA Finals and the Allen Crabbe trade. How have the Toronto Raptors gotten out to a 3-1 lead? If Kevin Durant doesn't come back for Game 5, are the Warriors finished? Was the NBA's punishment for Warriors minority owner Mark Stevens severe enough? What does the Allen Crabbe trade mean for the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Haw...
Jun 08, 2019•1 hr 7 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals, preview Game 3 and walk through the latest offseason chatter. Should the Golden State Warriors hold Klay Thompson out of Game 3 to avoid any setbacks with his hamstring injury? Who will take their backup center minutes with Kevon Looney sidelined? How should the Toronto Raptors exploit the Warriors' injury issues? Which free-agent centers make sense for the Sacramento ...
Jun 04, 2019•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Game 1 of the 2019 NBA Finals, preview Game 2 and question what the Rockets are doing this offseason. How can the Warriors slow down Pascal Siakam? Until Kevin Durant comes back, where can they generate reliable offense other than Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson? How confident should each team feel after Game 1? Are the Rockets trying to force Mike D'Antoni out? Check out the episode to hear Morten ...
Jun 01, 2019•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss potential Rockets trades, more Lakers dysfunction and RJ Hampton's decision to bypass college. Should the Rockets make major alterations to their roster this summer, or should they run back the same core? Are the Lakers screwed so long as Rob Pelinka remains their general manager? What does Hampton's decision mean for college basketball moving forward? Has the Kawhi Leonard trade now been validated ...
May 29, 2019•1 hr 7 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2019 NBA Finals, say farewell to the Milwaukee Bucks and discuss the ramifications of the All-NBA selections. How can the Warriors slow down Kawhi Leonard until Kevin Durant returns? Should the Raptors put Leonard on Stephen Curry right away? Will Marc Gasol feast until DeMarcus Cousins comes back? Can the Bucks retain all of their significant free agents? Should the Hornets offer Kemba Walker a...
May 26, 2019•1 hr 12 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Bucks-Raptors series ahead of Game 5 and bid farewell to the Portland Trail Blazers. Can the Raptors' role players and bench keep lifting up a hobbled Kawhi Leonard? Should the Bucks bench Eric Bledsoe in favor of George Hill? How can the Trail Blazers improve their supporting cast this summer? Will the Lakers' dysfunction affect their free-agent plans? Check out the episode to hear Morten and B...
May 22, 2019•1 hr 6 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the first two games of the Western and Eastern Conference Finals and more fallout from the 2019 NBA draft lottery. How can the Trail Blazers slow down the Warriors' deadly Stephen Curry-Draymond Green pick-and-roll? Should Raptors head coach Nick Nurse bench Marc Gasol in favor of Serge Ibaka heading into Game 3? Should the Suns or Bulls consider trading their first-round picks for veteran point gua...
May 18, 2019•1 hr 8 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest T.J. McBride (@TJMcBrideNBA) of Mile High Sports discuss the wild 2019 NBA draft lottery and say farewell to the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers. How does the Pelicans winning the No. 1 overall pick affect Anthony Davis trade talks this summer? Will the Grizzlies take Ja Morant at No. 2 and trade Mike Conley? Will the new lottery odds eradicate tanking? What are the biggest offseason questions the Nuggets and S...
May 15, 2019•1 hr 15 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Anthony Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) of Locked on Lakers preview the 2019 NBA conference finals and discuss the Los Angeles Lakers' debacle of a coaching search. Even if Kevin Durant misses the whole series, do the Portland Trail Blazers stand a chance against the Golden State Warriors? How can the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks stop Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard, respectively? Why did the Lakers balk at of...
May 14, 2019•1 hr 7 min
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview Game 7 of Nuggets-Blazers and Raptors-Sixers before saying farewell to the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs. Would trading for Anthony Davis cure all that ailed the Celtics this year? Should the Rockets consider major alterations this summer, or should they run back their same core? Is any franchise more appealing to star free agents than the Clippers? Whic...
May 11, 2019•1 hr 8 min
