I've been covering sports since just after college. Over that time, what I've learned is that almost every elite athlete gets hurt. And when they do, it's always the same story: nobody's fault , couldn't have seen it coming , or my favorite-- it was an act of God . Which is what they used to say about heart attacks, until they learned how the heart actually works. Now we prevent them by the million! So I wrote a book called Ballistic , coming out in May from W.W. Norton & Co., about the peop...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min
On today's episode Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: The Lakers, Nuggets, and Warriors as title contenders The revitalized Detroit Pistons franchise, how far can this go? The Knicks and Grizzlies have excellent records but are a notch below the true contenders, what's the deal? More on the disastrous Luka Doncic trade Top 5 NBA teams right now Programming note: The TrueHoop podcast will be on a hiatus, we hope to be back before the season ends. Stay tuned to truehoop.com Learn more about yo...
Feb 27, 2025•46 min
On today's special episode Henry Abbott talks to author and performance coach Steve Magness about his new book " Win the Inside Game: How to Move from Surviving to Thriving, and Free Yourself up to Perform Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 20, 2025•53 min
On today's show Henry Abbott and Jarod Hector discuss: The continued fallout over the Luka Doncic trade Henry's fantastic article on who controls the game and the way its delivered to fans The NBA says it has processes in place for players to report harassment from gamblers, what could these processes look like when the league takes tons of cash from sportsbooks? Ja Morant and the fragility of superstardom The Blazers look like they have some legit players Congrats to Kevin Durant on joining the...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 22 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: The Cavaliers bolstering their title chances by acquiring De'Andre Hunter The Hawks are shedding salary, do these deals mean they are moving on from Trae Young? The Nets and Ben Simmons are working on buyout. Does he have a future in the NBA? The Grizzlies moved on from Marcus Smart in anticipation of signing Jaren Jackson Jr. to a supermax extension Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Feb 07, 2025•33 min
On today's episode Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: How David helps his players manage trade season The impact of the Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis trade Henry Abbott's fantastic article on Mavericks' owner Miriam Adelson Warriors trade for Jimmy Butler The Spurs future with Wemby, De'Aaron Fox, and Devin Vassell The Pelicans traded Brandon Ingram to the Raptors. Is the teardown on? Is Zion next to be moved? The Bucks swap Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma, David thinks it won't be long befor...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 7 min
On today's episode Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: The red hot Rockets, Pacers, and their chances at title contention this year Young phenom Amen Thompson The Grizzlies have a core of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane what does their path for title contention look like? David's article on how teams need to rethink their approach to the draft Top 5 NBA teams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min
On today's special mini episode Henry Abbott and Jarod Hector discuss: The OKC Thunder are young, elite, and have the potential to be dynastic. They also have 15 draft picks over the next three years that they have to consolidate, and move. Can they turn some of those picks and some young talent into better odds at landing Cooper Flagg in the June draft? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 24, 2025•21 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: The Detroit Pistons are the league's best story, how are they getting it done after winning only 14 games last year? Cade Cunningham is healthy The evolution of J.B. Bickerstaff What's going on with Jimmy Butler? Rethinking the NBA Draft NBA Europe Top 5 NBA teams right now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr
On today's show Henry Abbott, Jarod Hector, and David Thorpe discuss: The TrueHoop draft debate. The Magic are young and very good right now, are they on a path to actual title contention in the next five years? If not, should they trade Paolo Banchero? Which teams besides the Thunder look like title contenders over the next five years? Which teams can afford to be very choosy at the trade deadline? Review of the Cavaliers/Pacers and Rockets/Grizzlies mini-series, what does David see as a proble...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 13 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: Classic matchup between the Thunder and Cavaliers. Why the Cavs are the NBA's best team and have a legit shot at the title. What does OKC need to tweak ahead of the playoffs? David's article on good shots We are almost at the halfway point of the season, which players are making All-NBA? Top 5 NBA teams right now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 09, 2025•49 min
Henry Abbott and Jarod Hector discuss: TrueHoop podcast updates for the New Year NBA teams want to shed salary but might find the market difficult Where does Jimmy Butler fit in today's NBA with his contract? Are the OKC Thunder, the team best suited to get everything it wants and needs, really all in? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 06, 2025•47 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe preview and predict the NBA Christmas Day matchups. Which teams are exceeding expectations? Which teams are disappointing? Spurs vs. Knicks Timberwolves vs. Mavericks 76ers vs. Celtics Lakers vs. Warriors Nuggets vs. Suns Have a happy and healthy Holiday Season! We will see you in the New Year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Dec 23, 2024•46 min
On today's episode Henry Abbott and Jarod Hector discuss: The Milwaukee Bucks are NBA Cup champs, what does it mean for the rest of the season? Should the OKC Thunder be worried about the way the lost the title game? Overall thoughts on year 2 of the NBA Cup Trinity Rodman opened up about her relationship with Dennis Rodman, what does her vulnerability mean for others? What is the media's responsibilities in telling the whole story of players like Dennis Rodman? Changes to the All-Star game Top ...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 19 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: Mavericks and Warriors break NBA record with 48 combined made threes, what's going in with the defense? David's thoughts of the Las Vegas atmosphere for the NBA Cup semifinals The Hawks wasted a golden opportunity in their loss to the Bucks The Thunder and Rockets played elite defense, but the Thunder have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander The Thunder have elite team speed on defense and an MVP candidate, the Bucks have their own MVP candidate and a l...
Dec 17, 2024•58 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: NBA Cup Quarterfinals results Rockets defeat the Warriors behind elite defense, is it enough to carry Houston to the title? Hawks defeat the Knicks behind an outstanding third quarter surge, has Atlanta turned things around? Thunder defeat the Mavericks with elite defense on Luka Doncic and a brilliant game from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Bucks defeat the Magic with late game execution despite the Orlando missing it's two best players, how'd th...
Dec 12, 2024•56 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: Nikola Jokic's brilliant run of games and why the Nuggets are still struggling. Can they maximize Jokic's prime? A few NBA teams are pressing the "panic button" as the season is not going well Dallas Mavericks are looking like title contenders again Breakdown of the NBA Cup quarterfinal games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: The Lakers have an issue and it's LeBron James. But there is an "easy" solution Why are the Magic so good? The maturation of Ja Morant NBA Cup update Top 5 NBA teams right now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 05, 2024•55 min
On today's episode Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: The Cavaliers win over the Celtics The Warriors have lost four straight, are they playing too many guys? The surging Bucks, Magic, and Rockets, what's going right for these teams? Are the Trailblazers on the right path? The Grizzlies are playing well with only one of their big 3 in form. How are they doing it? David's observations from college basketball tournaments in Las Vegas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 3 min
On today's episode Jarod Hector is joined by Nekias Duncan of The Dunker Spot, they discuss: Is Caitlin Clark more popular than any NBA star under the age of 30? More teams in the league are using depth to their advantage, is this the new normal? The Orlando Magic have a championship level defense and a poor offense, what's going on? Ime Udoka has the Rockets humming on defense and offense The state of the Hawks, Pelicans, and 76ers Top 5 NBA teams right now Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 10 min
On today's episode Jarod Hector is joined by The Athletic's NBA business writer, Mike Vorkunov. They discuss: Overall state of the NBA New media rights deal Closing of NBA basketball academies Sovereign wealth funds as majority NBA owners All-Star game revisions The surprising Cavaliers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 1 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: Team meeting in Philadelphia and why none of it matters unless Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey do it on the court David wrote about Tyrese Haliburton and Jamal Murray at the start of the season. It turns out his concerns were justified. Is it time to panic in Indianapolis and Denver? Dalton Knecht is shooting 46% from three and Lakers fans are giddy. Do they need to curb their enthusiasm? Memphis Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia is ...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 8 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to win and Donovan Mitchell is on pace to average the fewest minutes per game of his career! Are the Celtics on cruise control? The Knicks' defense hasn't been great so far, David says they need time. Jarod points out an interesting stat regarding the Knicks' rotation. The return of Joel Embiid David's "Get Off My Lawn" moment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Nov 18, 2024•51 min
On today's episode Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: Big scoring nights from Wemby and Giannis, but David thinks Wemby can be better Bronny James is not playing G league road games, and that's a problem David's rookie watch article Top 5 NBA teams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Nov 14, 2024•53 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: The season is only 4 weeks old but the injury report is massive, what's to be done? Which teams so far this season are playing more than 10 players per game? Are the Warriors for real? What's different about the Cavaliers this season? Is Nikola Jokic already top-5 all-time? What has David noticed in Wemby's second season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Nov 11, 2024•46 min
On today's show Henry Abbott and Jarod Hector discuss: What is Artificial Intelligence, and how can it impact NBA jobs? What are the parts of basketball where the data is reliable? What are the other parts? Could NBA head coaches change things to be better than computers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 07, 2024•57 min
On today's show Henry Abbott, Jarod Hector, and David Thorpe discuss: Joel Embiid's alleged altercation with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes. What is journalism in 2024? What is Embiid's responsibility when things he doesn't like gets printed about him? Which teams give their young players "oxygen"? Can Charles Lee get LaMelo Ball to play defense? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Nov 04, 2024•1 hr 8 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: What Kenny Atkinson has done to improve the Cleveland Cavaliers The NBA's three-point "problem" Joe Mazzulla is a different kind of dude David's article on the improved Lakers offense Top 5 NBA teams right now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Oct 31, 2024•56 min
On today's show Henry Abbott, Jarod Hector, and David Thorpe discuss: Kawhi Leonard's injury situation and the surrounding conversation Teams playing deep rotations in the early season Pacers and Nuggets concerns JJ Redick's first few games as Lakers head coach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 28, 2024•53 min
On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: The opening slate of games in the NBA , what stood out? What is going on with Joel Embiid? The Boston Celtics David's article on Jamal Murray and Tyrese Haliburton Top 5 NBA teams right now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Oct 24, 2024•48 min
