Hardwood Knocks

MAIL TIME. Dan answers a wide array of questions that tackle the state of NBA media coverage, the prospect of a Philadelphia 76ers rebuild, Portland Trail Blazers trades, LeBron James' retirement, coaching searches for the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks, James Harden's potential impact on the Houston Rockets and MUCH, MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:54 - Is NBA coverage broken? 24:01 - The Washington Wizards hire Michael Winger from the LA Clippers 30:38 - Who's the best fit for the Milwaukee Bucks head coaching vacancy? 33:01 - Should the Philadelphia 76ers consider trading Joel Embiid and rebuilding? 37:04 - How would the retirement of LeBron James impact the Los Angeles Lakers' cap sheet? 39:31 - Should the Phoenix Suns keep Deandre Ayton? 41:11 - Should the New Orleans Pelicans Go After Bobby Portis? 43:14 - Is LeBron James trying to fool NBA media?, Should the Lakers try trading for Fred VanVleet?, Should the Lakers consider moving Anthony Davis?  54:23 - Why are the Toronto Raptors tak

Dan and Grant discuss the Denver Nuggets winning the Western Conference and heading to the NBA Finals, as well as the superstar trajectory of Nikola Jokic. After that, they talk about Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat and get into some offseason musings about the future of the Los Angeles Lakers. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 2:59 - Is Nikola Jokic the best player in the NBA? 21:09 - Boston Celtics outlook 34:40 - Miami Heat secret sauce 42:09 - Have the playoffs diminished the meaning of the regular season? 46:36 - Milwaukee Bucks coaching search 52:39 - Will LeBron James actually retire? 59:40 - Los Angeles Lakers offseason outlook 1:14:03 - Carmelo Anthony's retirement SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH: https://bit.ly/hwkmerch JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @Spo

Dan is joined by Noah Magaro-George (@N_Magaro) from AirAlamo and the Alamo City Limits podcast to discuss the San Antonio Spurs' offseason and longer-term future after winning the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes. SUBSCRIBE TO NOAH'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@Noah_Magaro. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:39 - Victor Wembanyama to the Spurs! 7:04 - Wemby's defensive fit in San Antonio 9:13 - Gregg Popovich and Wemby! 11:14 - Wembanyama's offensive role 14:46 - The trajectory of Devin Vassell 21:02 - Keldon Johnson's best offensive role 25:16 - The development of Jeremy Sochan 27:17 - Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley 30:04 - How does the addition of Wembanyama alter the offseason approach? 33:22 - Tre Jones' restricted free agency/Romeo Langford 35:22 - Free-agent targets JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_kn

Dan and Grant discuss the NBA offseason outlooks for the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:06 - Golden State Warriors 10:48 - Phoenix Suns JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Dan and Grant discuss the latest Ja Morant incident and the Philadelphia 76ers firing Doc Rivers before previewing Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 3:09 - SNEAK PEEK 7:06 - Ja Morant 18:09 - Doc Rivers is fired/Future of the Sixers 40:09 - Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers primer 1:01:45 - Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat primer JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

MAIL TIME. Dan plows through a goodie bag's worth of questions that cover the future of the Boston Celtics, trades for the Phoenix Suns to pursue, a Dillon Brooks destination, a Jordan Poole to the Utah Jazz scenario and much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:21 - All-NBA thoughts 5:59 - Should the New York Knicks regret not trading for Donovan Mitchell given how the series against the Miami Heat is unfolding? 11:23 - What would it take to trade for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft? 13:20 - Should the Milwaukee Bucks rebuild around Giannis Antetokounmpo? 19:52 - Does the NBA need to change up the draft lottery process? 25:03 - All-Defense, All-Rookie and Herb Jones 29:50 - What is Tyrese Maxey's ceiling in Philadelphia? 32:49 - Should the Phoenix Suns trade Deandre Ayton and/or Chris Paul? 39:25 - Have this year's playoffs been a letdown or exceeded expectations?  44:54 - Will the Boston Celtics look at making major changes this offseason? 56:24 - Jordan Poole to the Utah Jazz?! 59:38 - Caris LeVert to th

Dan and Grant take a DEEP dive into the NBA playoff battles between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers as well as the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns. Their discussion covers unexpected contributions in Philadelphia, problem areas for the Celtics, the future of Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker's place among the league's superstars, Denver's strengthening championship stock and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:06 - Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers 17:04 - Denver Nuggets 30:12 - Phoenix Suns JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertise

Dan and Grant unload all of their thoughts on the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks entering their win-or-go-home Game 5s. They also take a deep dive into everything the Lakers and Heat are doing well and how that could scale ahead to later rounds in the NBA playoffs. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:34 - Life on the brink 6:38 - Knicks vs. Heat 27:22 - Warriors vs. Lakers 43:45 - Lonnie Walker IV, Lakers adjustments JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

MAIL TIME. Dan discusses the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to "dismiss" Mike Budenholzer before diving into a mailbag the covers coaching in the NBA playoffs, Jayson Tatum's iso game, the future of the Indiana Pacers, Kyrie Irving sign-and-trade ideas, reclamation projects and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:08 - The Bucks fire Mike Budenholzer 16:50 - Best mini MLE signings of the past five years 20:02 - Reclamation projects worth trading for this summer  25:58 - Kevon Looney 28:02 - Kyrie Irving to the Minnesota Timberwolves??? 29:59 - Kyrie Irving to the Milwaukee Bucks??? 32:32 - Jayson Tatum's iso scoring 35:28 - The Portland Trail Blazers are on fire, but not in a good way 36:23 - Does the NBA regular season no longer matter? 41:43 - Rank the remaining head coaches in the NBA playoffs 43:42 - Trending strategies 46:06 - Indiana Pacers offseason outlook 50:23 - Salary cap changes we'd love to see JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON S

Dan and Grant dive into James Harden's pants and epic Game 1 performance against the Boston Celtics, the Phoenix Suns-Denver Nuggets series and the offseason outlooks for the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. NOTE: THIS WAS RECORDED BEFORE THE NEWS THAT CP3 WOULD BE RE-EVALUATED IN ONE WEEK. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - James Harden's pants 4:15 - Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers thoughts 14:22 - Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns thoughts 30:36 - Memphis Grizzlies  40:10 - Sacramento Kings JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Dan and Grant discuss the Memphis Grizzlies' decision to move on from Dillon Brooks before jumping into what to watch for throughout the Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers series. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 3:05 - Dillon Brooks 10:05 - Warriors vs. Lakers Primer JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Dan and Grant bounce around the 2023 NBA playoffs. They begin with discussing the futures of the Milwaukee Bucks and LA Clippers after their exits. Then, they preview the series between the Miami Heat and New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets and finally the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 2:26 - Kawhi Leonard 7:06 - Giannis Antetokounmpo 17:02 - Milwaukee Bucks offseason outlook 25:01 - LA Clippers Offseason outlook 37:29 - Cleveland Cavaliers  51:02 - New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat preview 1:11:11 - Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers preview 1:21:56 - Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns preview JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the

Dan is joined by Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) from Red Nation Hoops to discuss the Houston Rockets hiring Ime Udoka, reflections from the 2022-23 season, biggest roster needs, free-agency targets, the James Harden rumors, trade possibilities and much more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:26 - The Ime Udoka hire 3:33 - Ime Udoka's introductory presser 15:54 - What to expect from Ime Udoka's impact on the roster 17:35 - Thoughts on the core players 17:56 - Jalen Green 22:14 - Alperen Sengun 26:31 - Jabari Smith Jr.  33:22 - Tari Eason and Kevin Porter Jr. 36:41 - K.J. Martin 39:08 - Biggest roster needs 41:58 - How the 2023 NBA draft will inform the Rockets offseason 44:08 - The James Harden rumors 50:09 - How aggressive will the Rockets be this offseason independent of James Harden? 58:07 - Potential trade targets, Jaylen Brown, Mikal Bridges JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTE

MAIL TIME. This week's journey down You Asked, Dan Answered Lane covers the Milwaukee Bucks, Mike Budenholzer and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George trade destinations and the future of the LA Clippers, a Brooklyn Nets and Portland Trail Blazers hypothetical, random NBA beefs, a Herb Jones trade idea, the drawn-out genesis of Dan's NBA fandom and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 2:26 - Which 2022 free agents are having the largest impact in the 2023 NBA playoffs? 6:03 - Would the Oklahoma City Thunder trade all their future first-round picks for Victor Wembanyama 8:36 - Milwaukee Bucks/Portland Trail Blazers 9:10 - Should the Milwaukee Bucks Fire Mike Budenholzer? 13:52 - Is Giannis Antetokounmpo still the best player in the NBA? 17:12 - What's more likely: A Mikal Bridges trade to the Portland Trail Blazers, or a Damian Lillard trade to the Brooklyn Nets? 22:40 - Should the NBA get rid of conferences? 25:41 - Dan goes WAAAAY too long on his NBA fandom journey 41:53 - Paul George trade destinations/

Dan and Grant react to the Toronto Raptors firing Nick Nurse and then go through their EARLY 2023 NBA playoffs winners and losers so far. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:35 - INTRO  2:51 - Raccoons invaded Dan's life 13:07 - Toronto Raptors fire Nick Nurse 24:09 - Mike Brown/Sacramento Kings 28:15 - Minnesota Timberwolves 32:27 - Denver Nuggets defense/Jamal Murray 34:35 - Trae Young 46:32 - Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat 52:36 - Kevon Looney/Draymond Green 58:03 - LA Clippers/Kawhi Leonard 1:03:17 - WHAT ARE THE RULES?! 1:09:33 - Derrick White 1:11:48 - The Knicks offense/RJ Barrett 1:16:22 - Phoenix Suns, the Kevin Durant - Devin Booker pairing JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of

Dan is joined by Matt Modderno (@MattModderno) from the Bleav in Wizards podcast (@BleavinWizards) to discuss the future of the Washington Wizards following their decision fire general manager Tommy Sheppard. Full list of topics include: —Was Tommy Sheppard's dismissal a surprise? —Will the Wizards be open to rebuilding? —Evaluating Wes Unseld Jr. —What would it take for the Wizards to rebuild? —The future of Kristaps Porzingis —The Porzingis and Daniel Gafford frontcourt pairing —The future of Kyle Kuzma —The future of Deni Avdija —Biggest offseason need in Washington —Stylistic changes the Wizards should make —Player most likely to be traded —Free agency targets JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis s

MAIL TIME. Dan answers an array of questions that cover the Draymond Green suspension, Ja Morant's injury, the Philadelphia 76ers-Brooklyn Nets series, overreactions for every playoff team, win-win trades, player archetypes and much more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:35 - Draymond Green suspension 5:04 - INTRO 6:39 - Walker Kessler or Jaden McDaniels? 8:35 - Should the Utah Jazz trade for LaMelo Ball? 11:46 - Draymond Green and Domantas Sabonis incident 16:58 - Should Ja Morant be considered injury prone? 19:57 - Early postseason overreactions for every NBA playoff team 36:22 - Phoenix Suns impressions 40:22 - Why are NBA playoff games officiated differently? 44:39 - What's more impressive: The Brooklyn Nets defense or the Philadelphia 76ers defense? 47:06 - Which NBA archetypes will be the next trendy draft selections? 50:49 - What are the biggest win-win trades in NBA history?  JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfa

Dan and Grant wrap up their 2023 NBA playoffs primer with extend thoughts on the first-round matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat as well as the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:35 - INTRO 3:52 - Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat 23:40 - Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

BONUS POD. Dan is joined by The Kings Herald's Greg Wissinger (@gwiss) to discuss the wave of doubt engulfing the Sacramento Kings as they prepare to end their 16-year postseason drought and take on the Golden State Warriors in Round 1 of the 2023 NBA playoffs. Is the skepticism warranted? Are the Kings better than they're viewed nationally? Is the defense really that bad? Which matchups should we watch? How euphoric is it to know Sacramento not only made the postseason but did so comfortably? How important is the Kings' postseason performance to understanding how they should flesh out the roster moving forward? Plus, predictions, shit-talking, cliche questions from Dan for Greg, the growth of De'Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis, the rotation and MUCH more! JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoo

Dan and Grant preview all six first-round series that already set for the 2023 NBA playoffs. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:35 - INTRO 6:05 - Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets 17:01 - Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks 26:48 - Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks 42:41 - Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors 55:20 - Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers 1:13:09 - Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers 1:29:48 - PLAYOFF MAILBAG JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement