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State of the League | LaMelo out-duels Luka; Lakers loseLuka Doncic struggles as the Lakers lose their first game after the All Star to LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the the Lakers’ loss and breakdown the defensive issues that will limit Luka and LeBron. Then, the Athletic’s Sam Amick stops by to discuss the fallout from a poorly received All Star weekend, Draymond Green’s comments, and whether broadcast negativity creates more problems for the NBA.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Sam AmickExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7Read Sam’s story on Draymond’s prediction: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6141143/2025/02/16/draymond-green-jimmy-butler-warriors-nba-championship/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler at the deadline and Draymond Green declared the Warriors are going to win the title. Zena Keita and Marcus Thompson discuss what the ceiling of the Warriors is, and if they have enough to actually get through the West. They discuss the top end talent of Jimmy, Curry and Draymond and if the young players on the roster can help get them where they need to go.Host: Zena KeitaWith: Marcus ThompsonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2025 NBA Draft is just around the corner with the prize at the top being Cooper Flagg. Es Baraheni and guest from the Game Theory Podcast Bryce Simon break down Cooper's game and who he would fit best with. After a break they discuss the tank race, who could be selected in the top 5, and how good the 2025 class is.Host: Es BaraheniWith: Bryce SimonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Curry scored 12 points to lead Team Shaq to a win in the All Star Championship game and was named All Star MVP. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the new All Star format results, discuss whether we live in a post dunk era, and the Wemby skills challenge controversy. Then, Zena Keita catches up with Law Murray postgame from Chase to discuss the game, Curry’s MVP, and the weekend.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni, & Law MurrayExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA Basketball, Who will win the MVP of the All Star Game, fun stats about Christian Braun and DeMar DeRozan, Nate Robinson's kidney transplant, trade deadline fallout and more. Then they are joined by Kelly Iko of the Athletic to discuss the Houston Rockets, their recent struggles, and how they will build their team in the near future. Then the boys play a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat, a trivia game where Andrew is pitted against a beat writer.Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Kelly IkoExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Jake Kleinberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Curry scored 27 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 105-98 win over the Houston Rockets. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to Jimmy Butler’s fit so far, the Wolves big win over the Thunder, and the latest injury news for Daniel Gafford and the Mavericks. Then, musician John Tesh joins the show to discuss nostalgia, how he came up with “Roundball Rock”, and a live performance.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni & John TeshExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kyrie Irving scored 42 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a win over the Golden State Warriors and new addition Jimmy Butler. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to Kyrie’s night, the Knicks wild overtime game against the Hawks, OKC’s huge comeback over the Heat, and Jamal Murray’s return to form. Then, the Athletic’s Jovan Buha joins the show to discuss the Lakers’ loss to the Jazz, game two of the Luka era, and the latest in Mark Williams trade saga.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Jovan BuhaExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin Durant scored 35 points to pass 30,000 all time as the Phoenix Suns lost to the Memphis Grizzlies. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to KD’s milestone night and discuss whether the Sixers should shut it down after an embarrassing loss. Then, the Athletic’s James Edwards joins the show to catch up on the Knicks big win in Indiana, Karl-Anthony Towns’ success, and why Josh Hart is so impactful to winning.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita and James EdwardsExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/Ua2qrEe7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luka Doncic made his Los Angeles Lakers debut in a blowout win over the Utah Jazz. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to Luka’s night, the weird situation in Dallas, and the All Star injury replacements. Then, the Guardian’s national NBA writer Claire De Lune joins the show from Crypto to set the scene, discuss Luka’s introduction to Lakers fans, and the team’s playoff ceiling.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Claire De LuneExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Davis made his Dallas Mavericks debut in the midst of a fan protest. Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, and Zena Keita react to AD’s debut, the rescinded trade between the Lakers and Hornets, and Jimmy Butler’s perfect fit with the Warrior. Then, the Athletic’s Christian Clark joins the show to discuss the timeline of the Luka Doncic trade, the fan reaction, Anthony Davis’ latest injury, and the comments from Mavericks Governor Patrick DumontHost: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni & Christian ClarkExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead Christian’s story on AD’s debut: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6123613/2025/02/08/anthony-davis-mavericks-max-christie-luka-doncic/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A historic NBA Trade Deadline has passed, and Andrew Schlecht and Fred Katz are here to break down what happened and hand out Trade Awards. The awards consist of: - Pau Gasol Award - the trade that makes a team a true contender - PJ Washington Award - goes to the trade that most people didn’t like, but we think could really pay off in the Playoffs - Gordon Hayward Award - a trade that most everyone praises but it will reveal a player is washed - Poeltl Award - to the team that gave up a first round pick for a player and everyone will question it all of next season- Mike Conley Award - a trade for a veteran that will end up helping turn a team around- Simone Fontecchio award - the trade that NBA sickos obsess over, but won’t move the needle at all- Bogdanovic and Burks award - to the most overrated trade of the deadline Host: Andrew Schlecht With: Fred KatzExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Jake Kleinberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Sam Amick react to the Jimmy Butler trade, what happened with Kevin Durant, De'Andre Hunter to the Cavs and more. Then break down the rest of the trade deadline including what did, and did not happen.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Sam AmickExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Miami Heat are finalizing a trade to send Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors for Andrew Wiggins and a draft pick in a multiteam trade. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, Es Baraheni, and Marcus Thompson react to how Jimmy Butler works with the Warriors, the locker room chemistry, and how Andrew Wiggins will do in Miami. Then, the crew discuss the other trades that happened today including Valanciunas to the Kings, Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks and more.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Zena Keita, & Marcus ThompsonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyNBA TRADE DEADLINE BONANZAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNz-FEYRNnk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Add Kevin Durant’s name to the list of superstars with a potential new home as we approach the NBA’s trade deadline. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to Luka Doncic’s introductory press conference as a Laker, the Celtics big win over the Cavs, and the Nets stolen win over the Rockets. Then, the Athletic’s Anthony Slater joins the show to reveal how long the Golden State Warriors have been pursuing a reunion with Durant, what a trade might look like, and who the Warriors have in mind as a fallback.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Anthony SlaterExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyFollow our trade deadline live blog: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/nba-trade-deadline-luka-davis-trade/TCQ1VIMH3cPt/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Los Angeles Lakers shocked the world by acquiring Luka Doncic via trade with the Dallas Mavericks. The Athletic’s Senior National Writer, Sam Amick guides Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni inside the Lakers negotiation process, the Mavericks decision to trade Luka, De’Aaron Fox’s move to San Antonio, and the Kings acquisition of Zach LaVine. Then, the Athletic’s Jovan Buha joins the show to look at the Lakers’ roster, their trade deadline plans, and LeBron James’s fit with Luka.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Sam Amick & Jovan BuhaExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead Sam’s story on the trade: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6108360/2025/02/03/luka-doncic-nba-trade-negotiations-lakers-mavericks/Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sacramento Kings are finalizing a trade to send De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs for multiple draft picks and Zach LaVine in a multiteam trade. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Es Baraheni react to the Kings trade haul, the Fox and Wemby fit in San Antonio, and how the Luka Doncic trade ending the player empowerment era. Then, Lakers Nation’s Trevor Lane joins the show to talk about the Lakers landing Luka, how aggressive Los Angeles will be at the trade deadline, and how the team can build around Luka.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Zena Keita, & TrevorExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Los Angeles Lakers have traded for Luka Doncic and we are here to break it all down. Es Baraheni, Zena Keita, and Alex Speers give a Birds Eye view of the trade, why would Dallas do this, how the Lakers accomplished it and much more.In Part 2, Jason Gallagher of the Young Man and the Three break down the trade from a Mavs fan perspective and if there could be a possible mutiny? Host: Es Baraheni, Zena Keita and Alex SpeersWith: Jason GallagherExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Andrew Schlecht Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA Basketball, Who was SNUBBED from the All Star Game, 6th Man of the Year Odds, a surprise team update, the best and worst lineups, and much more. Then they are joined by Jay King of the Athletic to discuss the Boston Celtics and if they are close to overcoming their slump, how good Tatum has been, and what’s up with Jaylen Brown’s shooting. Then the boys play a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat, a trivia game where Andrew is pitted against a beat writer.Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Jay KingExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Jake Kleinberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victor Wembanyama was selected as a reserve for his first All-Star appearance as the NBA announced the reserves for the game on Thursday. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the names and debate the biggest snubs. Then, Kyle Neubeck, from PHLY Sports, stops by to discuss the Sixers reluctance to tank, Embiid’s return, and the Sixers trade deadline options. Finally, Kelly Iko joins the gang postgame from the crazy scene in Memphis as the Grizzlies won a hard fought contest against the Houston Rockets.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Kyle Neubeck, & Kelly IkoExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead Kelly’s story on Amen Thompson: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6097869/2025/01/30/rockets-amen-thompson-stats-news-interview-nba/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 52 points, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors as the Thunder drop their 9th game of the season. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to the Warriors win and then Sam Amick stops by to give the latest on De’Aaron Fox, Jimmy Butler, and the Milwaukee Bucks. Then, the Athletic’s Law Murray joins the show to discuss Kawhi Leonard’s progress, the Clippers success thus far, and their potential moves at the trade deadline.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita, Sam Amick, & Law MurrayExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead Sam’s report on Fox: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6095410/2025/01/28/deaaron-fox-kings-trade-open-nba/Read Law’s latest on the Clippers at the deadline: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6093053/2025/01/28/clippers-nba-trade-deadline-tiers/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.