Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson sits down with USA TODAY’s Sam Amick to go behind the scenes with him and the team. They begin with how he’s not as quiet as some might think and how his father Mychal - a member of the 1980’s Showtime Lakers - is a man who loves to talk (as well he should be, hosting a radio show). They talk about Thompson’s accomplishments so far in his young career and how he’s working to sustain it. Thompson talks about how tough the loss was to Cleveland on Christma...
Jan 12, 2017•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former NBA coach George Karl, whose book “Furious George” is out, joins Sam and Jeff to talk about the reaction to excerpts that have been released in the past few weeks. The guys ask him to talk about regrets he might have with how he said something in the book. Karl talks about how important he believes family is for the players and for himself. They talk about Kenyon Martin, who took the most exception to what was written in Karl’s book, and if the two have connected. Karl talks about some of...
Jan 10, 2017•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Houston Rockets guard James Harden sits down with USA TODAY’s Sam Amick to discuss his amazing season and the success of the team. They talk about how Harden knew something good might be coming up with this team as far back as the preseason. Harden talks about how difficult his decision was to skip the Rio Olympics in the summer coming off a difficult year with the Rockets last season. He talks about some of the new players with the team and how quickly they have fit in with the team. Sam and Ja...
Jan 06, 2017•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt go around the league, hitting on some of the big performances. They start off talking about the Rookie of the Year race and the surprising entry that is Malcolm Brogdon of the Milwaukee Bucks. Brogdon was a second round pick who has quickly become an invaluable member of a young, up-and-coming team. Jeff chats with Brogdon from a recent trip to Milwaukee. The guys then talk about the Russell Westbrook vs. James Harden for MVP race and how great those two guys have bee...
Jan 03, 2017•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Memphis Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace joins Sam Amick to discuss his unorthodox rise to NBA executive. They talk about how the Grizzlies have dealt with injuries and have still made the playoffs in each of the past six seasons. They talk about Wallace’s career path, from humble beginnings working in a casino in Reno, Nev. to starting a basketball magazine at age 23. That led to getting a job in the NBA. They discuss the growth of international players getting to the league. They talk a...
Dec 27, 2016•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode, Sam Amick talks with Golden State Warriors beat reporter Marcus Thompson about how the team rose from being one of worst teams in the league to the current dynasty. They talk about covering the team in those early days. It was a team with humble beginnings, poor play and a fan base that wasn’t enamored with the future. Then they built the base that led to the great team they have today. They discuss how Steph Curry is having a great season, but not an MVP-type season, and how th...
Dec 20, 2016•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sam and Jeff break down the league at the quarter point in the season. They talk about how great Russell Westbrook has been so far and the amazing numbers he has been putting up. They discuss the New York Knicks and how they’re starting to play good ball. A quick chat with Jeff Hornacek on being caught in between the Carmelo Anthony/Phil Jackson drama and his reaction to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ “water-bottle challenge” during their recent game. They also talk about the hot Memphis Grizzlies and...
Dec 13, 2016•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sam Sits down with Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni to discuss James Harden and the state of the team, while Jeff has a lengthy discussion with Dr. David Bearman, one of the most clinically knowledgeable physicians in the U.S. in the field of medicinal marijuana.
Dec 06, 2016•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sam and Jeff take an inside look at the power rankings procedure and bring in an expert to break it all down. What goes into the weekly rankings and who votes. USA TODAY's AJ Neuhart-Keusch joins to throw one of the voters under the bus. Then Sam and Jeff take their weekly run through the NBA's top headlines. The Warriors are rolling, the Spurs look like the Spurs again. What's up in the East?
Nov 29, 2016•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Not only is Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin a great basketball player, but he is also a stand up comedian. USA TODAY's Sam Amick sat down with Griffin to talk about his comedy and the Clippers, who are off to a great start. Jeff Zillgitt then caught up with DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors, who is one of the leading scorers in the league and has his team near the top of the Eastern Conference.
Nov 22, 2016•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt chat about the bogus rumor that Klay Thompson was going to be traded by the Golden State Warriors to the Boston Celtics. They talk about how important Thompson is to the team and why they have no plans to trade him. They also talk about the streaking Los Angeles Clippers and why things are going well early on for them, but can this team advance in the playoffs? That’s the big question for them. Sam and Jeff also talk about DeMar DeRozan who is off to a...
Nov 15, 2016•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast One of the surprise teams early on in the NBA season is the Los Angeles Lakers. USA TODAY's Sam Amick caught up with first-year coach Luke Walton about the good start and the outlook. Walton talks about how the team has belief that they can compete, something they haven't done in a few seasons. One of the reasons, they discuss, is how he relates to a young group of players. They talk about the energy at Staples Center as Lakers fans are excited for this team.
Nov 08, 2016•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt give their analysis of the early days of the NBA season. Are the Golden State Warriors overrated? Are the San Antonio Spurs underrated? What to make about the furious start to Russell Westbrook’s season? For the first time in a long time, there is a reason to watch the Philadelphia 76ers. Then, the Chicago Bulls, are they for real? They talk about everyone from LeBron James to Dwight Howard and what we could expect from some of the top players in the l...
Nov 01, 2016•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Minnesota Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau joins Sam Amick to talk about his new team. They discuss how talented the young T'Wolves are, led by Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins and the outlook for their development. The coach tells Sam that he has mapped out the entire season's worth of practices and days off. A notorious workaholic and hard-driving coach, Thibodeau has apparently mellowed since his days in Chicago. They talk about what the coach did in his year off and how that helped him ...
Oct 28, 2016•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley joins USA TODAY's Sam Amick at a recent workout to talk about being the highest paid player in the NBA. They also talk about how strong the Western Conference has become and the changes in the Grizzlies for this season. Sam then chats with Brad Allen, executive chair of Next VR, a company that will be working with the NBA to show games in virtual reality this season.
Oct 22, 2016•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast The NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break down who they think will win the individual awards. Names like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard are out there for most valuable player going into the season, and the guys give their pick on who takes it. They break down who wins coach of the year, there are a lot of good candidates for this award as well -- Brad Stevens, Steve Kerr, Gregg Popovich, Ty Lue ... but who wins? They also chat about defensive player of the y...
Oct 18, 2016•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast You've done your homework, studied all the analytics and are ready for your fantasy basketball draft. But all things being equal, who should you take No. 1? Josh Lloyd from Basketball Monster and the Locked on Fantasy Basketball podcast joins USA TODAY's Kevin Spain to tell you. They break down the top five players, go over some positions, give you the sleepers and where you take them, and tell you some guys to avoid.
Oct 15, 2016•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break down each conference, looking at what teams win the divisions and who emerges to make it to the Finals. The guys then pick who they think will win the NBA Finals. Before they get into that, they discuss Jeff's upcoming cancer surgery, something he has talked about on a personal blog and one that folks around the NBA have heard about.
Oct 12, 2016•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast The A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt look ahead to some of the issues that could define the 2016-17 season, starting off with the dominance of the Golden State Warriors in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers. They talk about how the NBA will be involved in some of the social issues and Sam’s interview with Andre Iguodala. They also hit some of the early injuries to Ben Simmons and the sad situation that is Chris Bosh and his blood clots.
Oct 05, 2016•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry sits down with USA TODAY’s Sam Amick to discuss how that Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals will drive him this season. He recalls what it was like after losing that final game and how he tries to keep from taking it home. He talks about what he thinks of his team’s signing of Kevin Durant.
Sep 20, 2016•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Now that the Olympics are over, where do guys who have been successful in international play but not in the NBA go from here? USA TODAY's Sam Amick, who covered the games, discusses what's next for DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks with USA TODAY's Kevin Spain. They talk about how USA Basketball performed in the run up to the gold medal. They also discuss how Kevin Durant got some quality time with new teammates Klay Thompson and Draymond Green....
Aug 29, 2016•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast With the Olympics underway, USA TODAY NBA reporters Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt take a look at USA Basketball and how they were pushed to the limit by Australia. The guys discuss how that game will be important to the Americans as they try to win another gold medal. They discuss the situation in Rio, trying to get to the various events and practices. They talk a little about the Olympics experience and the USA TODAY coverage of the games. Then they talk about some of the other sports they’ve bee...
Aug 11, 2016•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Grant Hill and Melissa Proctor of the Atlanta Hawks join AJ Neuharth-Keusch of USA TODAY to talk about a project the team is doing to better connect with the community. Hill chats about what he has always thought being an owner would be and what is reality. With all the big money available, Neuharth-Keusch asks Hill if theres any chance of a comeback.
Aug 10, 2016•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast As much as any of the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson could feel the effect of Kevin Durant joining the team. USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick and Kevin Spain discuss how those two players' games can co-exist. Amick caught up with Thompson at a recent Team USA practice to get his thoughts on Durant joining the Warriors, how his game will be affected and how Durant's agent grilled guys before the signing.
Jul 26, 2016•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jerry Colangelo, director of USA Basketball joins A to Z guys Jeff Zillgitt and Sam Amick in Las Vegas to talk about the U.S. team as we get closer to the Rio Olympics. Colangelo breaks down the team, discussing the defensive ability and scoring. They talk about Carmelo Anthony’s decision to rejoin the team and how important it was to him. They talk about what it’s like trying to put the team together as some of the players dropped out. They discuss the Zika virus and other issues that Olympians...
Jul 21, 2016•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nancy Armour, USA TODAY columnist, guest hosts and sits down with New Orleans Pelicans player Anthony Davis. They're at a Red Bull tournament and dunk contest event and Davis talks about how NBA players have the power to make a difference in their communities. He said it’s important for him to come back to his hometown of Chicago to work with some kids. They talk about the New Orleans Pelicans signing Terrence Jones during free agency that Davis had a hand in bringing in. They talk about the Pel...
Jul 17, 2016•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Now that Kevin Durant has left Oklahoma City and joined the Golden State Warriors, where does that leave his former running mate Russell Westbrook? USA TODAY Sports Sam Amick breaks it all down with Anthony Slater, Thunder beat reporter for the Oklahoman. They discuss how Westbrook's role with the team might change and how Westbrook has told kids at a camp that he plans to be back next season. They discuss if the Thunder might decide to make a trade or if they're with him long term....
Jul 11, 2016•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast How did the Golden State Warriors land Kevin Durant in free agency? Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY NBA reporters walk you through the behind the scenes and discuss the meetings that were had that led to his decision. They also discuss what backlash Durant might experience for leaving the Thunder, comparing it to what LeBron James went through when he left Cleveland to join the Miami Heat. They then talk about how the Warriors with Durant will play. They also discuss how things will be di...
Jul 04, 2016•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Los Angeles Clippers' Jamal Crawford joins NBA A to Z guy Sam Amick to break down free agency. As a player, Crawford has a unique perspective on where guys might go and what the market is for other players. They discuss Kevin Durant’s situation and how Durant will be talking to Crawford’s team. They break down some of the younger players and Crawford gives his list of guys he’d pursue if he was a general manager. Then they talk about how Crawford, a free agent himself, stays in playing shape eve...
Jun 29, 2016•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Kevin Durant sweepstakes is on. Where will this summer's top free agent going to sign? The NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt take a deep dive into what the Oklahoma City Thunder star’s options are and when he might do. A team that could lose some players is the Toronto Raptors. What will they do? The guys discuss players like DeMar DeRozan and Bismarck Biyombo and what they might do. The discussion turns to some restricted free agents like Andre Drummond and Bradley Beal. What will...
Jun 28, 2016•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
