At a critical juncture of the NBA Finals, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe spend an hour on what matters: What’s with the Warriors’ Cuisinart offense? David thinks it’s been unplugged by Ime Udoka. Why has Draymond Green been so ineffective? There’s a lot of story to that one. And what is going on with Kevon Looney in this chart? On BRING IT IN, David Thorpe explains: We're seeing a lot of frantic possessions. When I say a lot, I don't mean 55 percent, but more than three percent, more t...
Jun 13, 2022•1 hr 5 min
TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * Sportswashing and the new LIV golf tour. * David realizes that the Celtics are baiting the Warriors into heliocentric offense. * What’s the deal with Draymond Green? Why can’t he string together consecutive good games? Jarod has an idea. * Stephen Curry has been great through three quarters of every game and not so great in the fourth. Can the Warriors fix that? David has an idea. RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES: * June 6, 2022 We have a series * J...
Jun 10, 2022•58 min
TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe talk about the Warriors win in Game 2 of the NBA Finals: * David describes the five-minute stretch of the third quarter that decided Game 2 * Is Gary Payton II the key? * David and Henry have a lot of love for Celtics head coach Ime Udoka * Henry and David disagree about what makes an MVP, and Jarod Hector plays referee. You decide who won … RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES: * June 3, 2022 Celtics take Game 1 with excellent 4th * May 27, 2022 Coach and NBA pla...
Jun 06, 2022•1 hr 8 min
TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Warriors. * It looked like the “Thorpe Rule” was activated after the Warriors’ masterful third quarter, but then the Celtics amped up their defense and made tons of shots in the fourth. How did that happen? * It’s a coach’s league as well as a player’s league. What makes the Celtics’ Ime Udoka so special? * Stephen Curry looked brilliant in the first quarter and only scored 13 the rest of the game. ...
Jun 03, 2022•1 hr 2 min
TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector is joined by basketball coach and NBA player trainer Charlie Torres. Charlie grew up in Southern California, a hotbed for basketball talent, and has worked with some of the best players in the NBA, including Klay Thompson. They discuss: * How Charlie got his start in the business * What it’s like working out Klay Thompson * Stories from the Warriors trip to China where important passports were lost, including head coach Steve Kerr * Shooting contests between Klay and Kevi...
May 27, 2022•1 hr
TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * Warriors taking a 3-0 lead in the conference finals. Jarod is ready to bury the Mavericks, David says not so fast. * Why is the Warriors’ “Cuisinart” offense so brilliant and difficult for other teams to emulate? David has some thoughts. * Jarod and David give Andrew Wiggins some love. * Celtics vs. Heat is a bloodbath, are we still favoring the Celtics? * The Heat are so well coached and David likes that. * Bam Adebayo played well in game thre...
May 23, 2022•1 hr 3 min
TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector, and David Thorpe discuss: * The Celtics destroyed the Heat in game 2 of the conference finals. David Thorpe thinks they are the best team in the league and Jarod agrees. Is this the Celtics year? * Jarod appreciates the visceral way that weaknesses get exposed in the playoffs. David breaks it down from a player perspective. How does he coach his players to exploit weaknesses in their opponents? * The Warriors enforced the “Luka Rules” in game one. Can that continue for t...
May 20, 2022•1 hr 2 min
TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott, Jarod Hector, and David Thorpe discuss: * How the Celtics defeated the Bucks in Game 7 thanks to a team approach that let them celebrate not just stars, but wide open Grant Williams. * Luka Doncic was excellent in the Mavericks Game 7 win over the Suns. How has Jason Kidd coached him to be more like LeBron James and less like James Harden? * The Suns made some tactical errors according to Thorpe—and their stars didn’t get the ball early and often to Deandre Ayton. * Ever...
May 16, 2022•1 hr 1 min
TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * Philadelphia 76ers failed to advance past the second round for the fourth time in five years. There is a lot of blame to go around, and everyone deserves some. Where do they go from here? Jarod and David have a Camp Morey idea… * The Dallas Mavericks forced a Game 7 and Coach Jason Kidd has to get a lot of the credit according to David Thorpe. Jarod is worried that Mikal Bridges is out of gas. * The Memphis Grizzlies are playing the three-time ...
May 13, 2022•1 hr 1 min
On today’s episode of BRING IT IN TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott is joined by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, the author of “Don't Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life” Seth is a serious academic who has spent his adult life marinating in data. He’s also a huge sports fan, whose book has a surprising amount of NBA insight. * He has data suggesting that genes play a bigger role in making it in the NBA than in other sports. * He cites a groundbreaking study about human happiness, whic...
May 09, 2022•55 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector is joined by an OG TrueHoop member, the one and only Kevin Arnovitz! They talk playoffs including: * Grizzlies vs. Warriors and why Kevin is not ready to give up on the old guys * Jaren Jackson Jr. We know Jarod is a fan, but is Kevin? * The brilliance of Chris Paul * Kevin’s distaste for mismatch basketball * What will be an interesting offseason in Philadelphia * Who can score enough in the eastern conference to make it to the NBA Finals? RECENT BRING IT IN EPISO...
May 06, 2022•56 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss the adjustments teams make as their opponents change in the playoffs: * The Grizzlies and Warriors went down to the wire in an exciting game one. The final play went to Ja Morant for a layup he missed. Very good play call. Was there an option to pass it to Jaren Jackson Jr. for a three? * Draymond Green was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected, was that the right call by the officials? * In the Celtics vs. Bucks series it seemed like it t...
May 02, 2022•45 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe indoctrinate Jarod Hector into the playoffs church of love: * All you tinfoil hats that think the NBA is rigged, Henry knows you’re wrong this time. * Pelicans vs. Suns was hard fought and super intense, but there was so much love in the arena afterwards, is this a healthier way to compete? * After that amazing Pelicans run David is ready to trade Zion Williamson. (UPDATE: After we recorded, evidence that the Pelicans and Zion worked out something ...
Apr 29, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe discuss the NBA playoffs: * The best scoring duos in the playoffs don’t feature a big man. What’s up with that? * The #8 seed New Orleans Pelicans have a real shot to upset the best team in the NBA all season, the Phoenix Suns. How are undrafted Jose Alvarado and second round pick Herb Jones frustrating Chris Paul? * The Heat vs. Hawks series is likely over. David Thorpe predicted the Hawks would win a title soon—does he still believe that? * The C...
Apr 25, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss round one of the playoffs, including: * David Thorpe goes 30 seconds on each series. * What Jarod and David like and dislike so far about the playoffs. * Game 3 between the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves was wild! Blowing two 20+ point leads? Thorpe sees something the Wolves aren’t doing… * Jarod’s favorite player to watch so far has been Jordan Poole. He was drafted 28th so virtually every team could have had him. * David’s f...
Apr 22, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe discuss every game of the NBA playoffs so far, but with a special emphasis on this incredible game-winning play: * Kevin Durant ambles after passing to Kyrie Irving, which tells Thorpe something about the Nets’ strategy. Bruce Brown sets up on the left block, instead of in the left corner, which tells him something else. Step by step, second by second, there is so much to see here. Thorpe jokes he could write a whole book about the end of this play...
Apr 18, 2022•1 hr
TrueHoop’s NBA playoff preview: The East . The West . The Raptors vs. 76ers . The play-in winners . The betting markets . Today, TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss every first-round playoff series, with a little insight from the Las Vegas odds: * Why do the Philadelphia 76ers defeating the Toronto Raptors in five or seven games have the same +350 odds? * The Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets series is interesting on a number of levels. Celtics in 5 and Nets in 6 are the same +400 od...
Apr 15, 2022•1 hr
Today, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe discuss: * Facundo Campazzo’s play on Wayne Ellington that caused Ellington to tweet he’ll “put hands” on Campazzo next time he sees him. * The play-in games are set and injuries will decide who will advance. * David Thorpe is neck deep in advanced stats and video as he is preparing his NBA playoff predictions. His track record is pretty good. * Adam Silver and the NBA Board of Governors met last week and Silver made interesting comments about play...
Apr 11, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe discuss: * Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks win the natty. Should Dawn be President? Yes, and David has another job for her first. * The role of the big man in the NBA has changed. David sees players in this year’s NCAA tournament who could help teams, but likely won’t get drafted. * Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. David thinks the Mavs did the Bucks a big favor. * Joel Embiid thinks he’s done eno...
Apr 04, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Today TrueHoop’s David Thorpe and Jarod Hector discuss: * Thursday night’s Bucks vs. Nets game. Everyone found it exciting, but David also saw what he calls drunk basketball. * The mythical basketball game for humanity’s survival. Are we still picking KD before Giannis? We know Jarod is … * Kevin Durant is a leader and David sees more than one type of way to lead * David wrote an article about the Memphis Grizzlies aka “Team Dynamite” —why are they successful without their best player, Ja Morant...
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe did not discuss Will Smith and Chris Rock. Instead, they discuss: * The Miami Heat have lost four in a row and have been ineffective on defense, where Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson are common targets. Does being targeted on defense mean you’re a bad defender? * Kevin Durant played the entire second half on the second night of a back-to-back. Who is in charge of delivering the Nets to April ready to contend? * The Lakers blew a game against the Pe...
Mar 28, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Today TrueHoop’s David Thorpe and Jarod Hector discuss: * NYC Mayor Eric Adams lifting the vaccine mandate for athletes and performers. What role did lobbyists play? * There was a big blowup in Miami on the Heat bench between Jimmy Butler, Erik Spoelstra, and OG Udonis Haslem. Coach Thorpe thinks it’s something to watch. * Could the Lakers lose to the Pelicans in the play-in? * Florida State basketball player Max Thorpe joins the show! He talks NCAA tourney, gives his scouting report on a few NB...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Today TrueHoop’s David Thorpe and Jarod Hector discuss: * The recent individual scoring explosion by names you know: Kyrie Irving, Karl-Anthony Towns and Kevin Durant. But Saddiq Bey? Thorpe has a theory. * March Madness is upon us. Beyond the upsets Thorpe is keeping his eye on a few players and what he’s seeing as a problem from coaches. * The Warriors’ Stephen Curry was injured on an unnecessary play according to Thorpe. * Would the Grizzlies roll in a first-round matchup against the Timberwo...
Mar 18, 2022•47 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe discuss: * David Thorpe reacts to Twitter hot takes. Is Frank Vogel a terrible coach? Do the Bucks have too many centers? What do we think about high-school freshmen announcing they’ll hit a playoff game-winner, then doing it? * The NBA prospects David will be watching in the NCAA tournament (and Jarod doesn’t like Kevin Durant comparisons). * The Knicks had the ball, down three, with under two seconds left and … didn’t have a timeout! Inbounding f...
Mar 14, 2022•1 hr 1 min
TrueHoop’s David Thorpe and Jarod Hector discuss: * Nets vs. 76ers. The beatdown by the Nets, David says, had little to do with Ben Simmons and everything to do with James Harden. * Warriors vs. Nuggets. Good win by Golden State but Jarod says let’s not overreact. * Nikola Jokic is the “right kind of superstar” according to some. Why we need to be careful with that label. * Young point guards in the NBA. Jarod asks Coach Thorpe what would happen if we swapped Ja Morant for Shai Gilgeous-Alexande...
Mar 11, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe discuss: * Don’t you wish it was just about sports? One NBA powerbroker (Ari Emanuel of Endeavor) cut a deal face to face with Vladimir Putin, another (Joe Ravitch of the Raine Group) is helping Kremlin-connected oligarch Roman Abramovich sell Chelsea F.C. right now. * Endeavor and the Raine Group both reportedly raised a ton of money from the Emirates-based Mubadala Investment Company. Mubadala is also the biggest outside investor in Apollo Global...
Mar 07, 2022•1 hr
Today’s BRING IT IN is in two parts! TrueHoop’s David Thorpe, and Jarod Hector discuss: * Coach K’s final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium * Dirty money in the NBA * Jarod asks Coach Thorpe about the art of the pick and roll … Coach was VERY excited! * Trae Young and Luka Doncic are masters of this art * Either Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic will be on the All-NBA second team and that’s dumb. * There are 11 NBA title contenders and each has a fatal flaw. Coach and Jarod had so much fun it spilled ove...
Mar 04, 2022•59 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe discuss: * What’s actually remarkable about the Stephen Curry pregame warm-up video, and it’s not what you think according to Coach Thorpe. * An update from Ukraine. Coach Thorpe’s player Kyryl Natyazhko—he played at Arizona—is preparing to defend his country from Russian aggression. * Putin has had a strategy of gaining influence in the West through the wealthiest and most influential. Did it work? * Although it seems so easy to sort out who the g...
Feb 28, 2022•59 min
Today on BRING IT IN, TrueHoop’s David Thorpe, and Jarod Hector discuss: * TrueHoop piece on Putin and the Ukraine invasion * How good is Bronny James? Coach Thorpe sees glimpses of two current NBA All-Stars in his game. * Are the Timberwolves actually good at basketball? * What’s the key to the Grizzlies half-court offensive success in the playoffs? HINT: It involves Jarod’s guy Jaren Jackson Jr. * The League MVP is legitimately a four-man race and DeMar DeRozan is more than worthy * The Zion W...
Feb 25, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Today, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe discuss: * David’s big weekend at Duke. Is Coach Thorpe a secret Dukie? * The All-Star game was this past weekend there was some cool stuff on the floor, but comments by LeBron James off the floor made headlines. * Could LeBron return to the Cavaliers? Do they even want him? * What are the chances LeBron and his son Bronny play together? * Henry thinks the current system with players being able to decide where they play is not as problematic as we ...
Feb 21, 2022•53 min
