Hardwood Knocks

Grant and Dan drop their picks for All-NBA, All-Defense and All-Rookie teams. Be sure to check out our awards pod here: https://bit.ly/hwkx886 TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 3:07 - Rudy Gobert Suspension 6:16 - CRITERIA 9:37 - All-NBA Guards 19:05 - All-NBA Forwards 29:07 - All-NBA Centers 33:33 - All-Rookie teams 45:28 - All-Defense teams 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

Grant and Dan go LOOOOONG on their 2022-23 NBA awards ballots. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:35 - INTRO/CRITERIA 9:31 - MVP/More Criteria 34:16 - Executive of the Year 43:06 - Coach of the Year 52:31 - Defensive Player of the Year 1:06:26 - Rookie of the Year 1:17:45 - Clutch Player of the Year 1:19:24 - Sixth Man of the Year 1:26:27 - Most Improved Player 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. This week's batch of FANTABULOUS questions have us talking about the future of Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic, why the Sacramento Kings #justwork, Deandre Ayton's role on the Kevin Durant-era Phoenix Suns, free-agency targets for the Indiana Pacers, the value of Trey Murphy, Nick Nurse and the Raptors and SO. MUCH. MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 2:28 - The difference between the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings 6:28 - Should the Mavs consider trading Luka Doncic 14:40 - Would the New Orleans Pelicans trade Trey Murphy for Jaylen Brown? 18:58 - Which NBA team needs to be more urgent building around their star? 23:00 - Which NBA team is the best fit for Victor Wembanyama? 29:02 - If you could guarantee perfect health for one player this playoffs, who would you pick and why? Which team would you pick? 31:11 - Is there any chance Mikal Bridges can win MIP this year from his performance since the trade deadline? 35:12 - How many rookies from this NBA Draft class have superstar upside?  38:01 - W

Dan is joined by the legendary Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) from Spotrac to cover the ins and outs of the new NBA collective bargaining agreement. Topics include: games-played minimum for awards, the luxury tax, the "super tax," the midseason tournament, players investing in NBA and WNBA teams and sports betting companies, unintended consequences of new items and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 3:26 - The NBA's focus on parity 6:46 - Is the "Super Tax" good or bad? 18:27 - Will more teams pay the "regular" luxury tax? 22:37 - The impact of a 65-game minimum for awards and All-NBA teams 31:13 - Do the changes in extension rules matter? 36:37 - The future of Jaylen Brown 43:03 - Is it good that players can invest in NBA/WNBA teams and sports betting companies 50:11 - Is the in-season tournament good or bad? 55:13 - Under-the-radar changes to the CBA JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hu

Dan and Grant revisit their NBA preseason win-loss predictions and take ownership of their biggest misses and explain their logic, what went wrong and so much more. We talk about more than half the league, so buckle up! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 6:11 - Oklahoma City Thunder 9:15 - Utah Jazz 12:46 - Sacramento Kings 17:31 - Indiana Pacers 20:52 - Boston Celtics 24:17 - New York Knicks 27:47 - Golden State Warriors 36:10 - Detroit Pistons 39:35 - Minnesota Timberwolves 45:56 - Phoenix Suns 48:26 - New Orleans Pelicans  53:13 - Dallas Mavericks 56:28 - LA Clippers 1:00:27 - Toronto Raptors 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 adve

MAIL TIME, PART 2. In the second mailbag of the week, Dan discusses the Julius Randle injury, playoff offenses, the future of Jaylen Brown on the Boston Celtics, NBA revenue sharing, teams best positioned to trade for Luka Doncic and MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 2:23 - Can the New York Knicks survive without Julius Randle 12:23 - Which team would Victor Wembanyama help the least? 17:49 - Will offenses be worse in the playoffs? 21:41 - Biggest winners and losers from the regular season 27:35 - Erase one of these NBA players' contributions from the league: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James or Michael Jordan  28:39 - Is Jaylen Brown destined to leave the Boston Celtics? 37:30 - How NBA revenue sharing works 42:02 - Is Kyrie Irving a good fit in Orlando? 44:33 - Which NBA teams are best positioned to trade for Luka Doncic 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: @Har

MAIL TIME. Dan goes through questions that cover Evan Mobley and the Defensive Player of the Year race, the growth of Jaden McDaniels and his next contract, the future of Jaylen Brown, Jalen Williams, playoff basketball, LaMelo Ball and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 4:45 - The development of Jaden McDaniels 19:20 - LaMelo Ball's value 25:49 - Where would Jalen Williams go in a 2022 NBA re-draft? 28:50 - Woj or Shams? 30:37 - When is it okay to call someone a 'bust?' 33:30 - Is Evan Mobley a Defensive Player of the Year candidate? 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.spreak

Dan discusses the collapse of the Dallas Mavericks, the prospect of their tanking this season and what the current state of affairs means for their season. After that, he's got five *reasonably bold* predictions to drop into your mindholes. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 2:12 - State of the Dallas Mavericks 19:02 - Prediction #1 25:04 - Prediction #2 29:46 - Prediction #3 33:10 - Prediction #4  38:43 - Prediction #5 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 goes LONG on the Paul George injury and its impact on the short- and long-term future of the LA Clippers. Then, while nobody asked for this, Dan offers one 2023 free agent every NBA team should already be thinking about— in the name of changing pace. CHAPTERS BELOW⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 2:50 - The LA Clippers without Paul George 24:02 - Atlanta Hawks 24:59 - Boston Celtics 25:24 - Brooklyn Nets 26:15 - Charlotte Hornets 27:06 - Chicago Bulls 27:43 - Cleveland Cavaliers 28:18 - Dallas Mavericks 28:57 - Denver Nuggets 29:53 - Detroit Pistons 30:22 - Golden State Warriors 31:11 - Houston Rockets 32:00 - Indiana Pacers 33:00 - LA Clippers 33:34 - Los Angeles Clippers 34:45 - Memphis Grizzlies 36:03 - Miami Heat 36:38 - Milwaukee Bucks 37:46 - Minnesota Timberwolves 38:26 - New Orleans Pelicans 39:37 - New York Knicks 42:00 - Oklahoma City Thunder 44:15 - Orlando Magic 45:58 - Philadelphia 76ers 46:47 - Phoenix Suns 48:10 - Portland Trail Blazers 50:12 - Sacramento Kings 51:34 - San Antonio Spurs 53:10 - Toronto Rapt

Dan and Grant are trading big-picture observations for that will define the rest of the NBA season, potentially the 2023 NBA playoffs and definitely the 2023 NBA offseason. This journey includes the future of the New Orleans Pelicans, the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks, Jalen Williams and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 4:45 - The future of the New Orleans Pelicans is complicated 15:32 - Free-agency outlook, Jerami Grant, Nikola Vucevic 24:16 - Are the New York Knicks underrated? 35:07 - Next steps for the Knicks 36:23 - Are the Philadelphia 76ers Tier 1 title contenders? 42:31 - The Memphis Grizzlies playoff stock 47:26 - Is Kawhi Leonard a top-five player again? 53:23 - Can Jalen Williams be better than Paolo Banchero? 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

MAIL TIME. In Part 3 of our three-part mailbag, Dan and Grant dive into the future of the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, the latest Lonzo Ball injury news, Jayson Tatum's slumping MVP case, the Denver Nuggets' title chances, the Golden State Warriors' transition into the post-Stephen Curry era, the best clutch players who don't score and MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:30 - Who gets more wins over the next three seasons: The New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets? 7:57 - Why has Jayson Tatum fallen out of the MVP discussion? 12:36 - Which NBA franchise would you chose to represent the model of how to build a team, culture, manage finances, etc 23:37 - Lonzo Ball update 24:39 - True shooting percentage 26:14 - Who are the best clutch time NBA players based on stats excluding points scored? Guys who do all the little things at the end of the game but don’t hit the final shot. 31:22 - Should the Denver Nuggets be title favorites? 36:26 - What will happen to the Golden State Warriors after Stephen Curry retires? JOIN OUR DIS

MAIL TIME. In Part 2 of our three-part mailbag, Dan and Grant react to Bogdan Bogdanovic signing an extension with the Atlanta Hawks before tackling the free-agency outlooks for Cam Johnson and Hamidou Diallo. After that, they talk about Kawhi Leonard's All-NBA candidacy, as well as the battle for the final center spot. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:30 - INTRO 4:46 - The Bogdan Bogdanovic extension  17:51 - How much will Cam Johnson get in free agency? 22:52 - What will be Hamidou Diallo's free-agent market? 33:51 - Are the Sacramento Kings locks to win the Pacific Division? 39:21 - Will Kawhi Leonard make an All-NBA team? 45:21 - Who's your third-team All-NBA center? 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 par

MAIL TIME. In part 1 of this week's mailbag, Dan discusses the Denver Nuggets' recent struggles, player evaluation, the long-term future of the Miami Heat, Kyrie Irving's next contract, the most important role players of the NBA playoffs and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:30 - INTRO 3:26 - Are the Denver Nuggets in trouble? 17:28 - Who will be the Portland Trail Blazers' next head coach? 23:26 - What matters more in player evaluation: offense or defense? 26:26 - How important is continuity for NBA title contenders? 31:18 - What should Kyrie Irving's next contract look like? 35:58 - Who will make the next Mikal Bridges-type leap?  38:19 - Deepest playoff teams, most important role players in the postseason 48:18 - The significance postseason runs for the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings  51:16 - Can Miami Heat avoid remaining trapped in mediocrity? 54:13 - Will LeBron James play until he's 45?!? 56:09 - Which role players can you NOT imagine playing for another team? 57:41 - Which role player would be the best s

Dan is joined by Greg Wissinger (@gwiss) of The Kings Herald to discuss—YOU GUESSED IT—the rise of the 2022-23 Sacramento Kings. From what makes them tick to their biggest flaws to breaking down potential playoff matchups, they get into it all. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:30 - INTRO 3:31 - How surprising is this Kings team? 9:22 - The defining factors of the NBA's best offense 10:58 - Domantas Sabonis' better-than-expected fit 12:22 - The growth of De'Aaron Fox 15:58 - Staggering the minutes of Sabonis and Fox 19:11 - Development of Keegan Murray 22:28 - Impact of Malik Monk 25:17 - Is the Kings defense really that bad? 30:43 - Revisiting the Kevin Huerter trade 32:47 - Are the Kings underrated? 35:36 - Ideal first-round playoff matchup for the Kings 39:27 - Most problematic playoff matchups for the 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 / @hardwo

Dan goes long on one question, which was inspired by Discord user ItsAllen: Why do basketball fans care about the NBA MVP award so much? 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 revisit all the biggest deals from the 2023 NBA trade deadline and discuss where their impressions of each transaction stand exactly one month later. Part 2 covers the D'Angelo Russell mega trade, the Toronto Raptors getting Jakob Poeltl, the New York Knicks landing Josh Hart, Jae Crowder going to the Milwaukee Bucks and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:45 - D'Angelo Russell trade 14:01 - Jakob Poeltl trade 21:56 - Josh Hart trade 29:33 - Jae Crowder trade 34:31 - Eric Gordon/Luke Kennard trade 42:21 - Bones Hyland trade 44:01 - Josh Richardson trade 44:42 - Dario Saric trade 46:13 - Jalen McDaniels trade 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

Dan and Grant revisit all the biggest deals from the 2023 NBA trade deadline and discuss where their impressions of each transaction stand exactly one month later. Part 1 will cover the Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Wiseman moves. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - Intro 3:01 - Kevin Durant trade 11:46 - Kyrie Irving trade 23:03 - James Wiseman trade 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

WELCOME TO NBA 'HOT OR NOT?!' You submitted your hot takes. Dan and Grant are here to discuss whether they're too spicy or not incendiary enough. This batch of surface-of-the-sun takes will cover everything from max (or near-max) contract candidates this summer, the rise of the New York Knicks, the future of the Miami Heat, the MVP race and MUCH more! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 3:01 - The Sacramento Kings are more likely to win a playoff series than the Memphis Grizzlies 5:18 - A 10-seed will win one of the play-in tournaments 7:14 - Damian Lillard will make First Team All-NBA 12:03 - The 2024 Rookie of the Year race will be an all-timer 13:34 - The Dallas Mavericks OR LA Clippers will miss the playoffs 16:18 - The Knicks will win more than 50 games 18:34 - The betting favorites for DPOY and MIP will NOT win the awards 24:26 - Damian Lillard OR Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will receive more MVP votes than Jayson Tatum  25:34 - The Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets have the brightest futures in the NBA 29:02 - A ful

MAIL TIME. Dan drops Part 2 of this week's mailbag, which includes a look at the surging New York Knicks, the ambiguous L.A. Clippers, the NBA MVP race, Anthony Edwards, playoff seeds and more! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:39 - Anthony Edwards 5:02 - Are the New York Knicks actually good? 10:57 - The MVP discussion  32:05 - What happens to the L.A. Clippers if they implode during—or before—the postseason? 39:41 - Top Sixth Man of the Year candidates 48:48 - Predicted the top 10 seeds in both the East and the West...You're welcome? 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.spreake

MAIL TIME. In Part 1 of a two-pod mailbag, Dan ventures through questions that cover the Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder, playoff basketball, Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:46 - Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Outlook 13:00 - Is it time for the Oklahoma City Thunder to go all-in this summer? 20:47 - Fred VanVleet's free-agency value 27:29 - What’s a bigger detriment to a team in the playoffs: a defensive ace with no offensive game, or a pure bucket that is an absolute liability on defense? 31:06 - Pascal Siakam's playmaking 35:27 - The Toronto Raptors outlook 41:09 - How much is Gary Trent Jr. Worth? 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 Spreake