Off Guard with Austin Rivers

Austin and Pausha kick off the pod by expanding on Austin’s semi-viral Bronny James–LeBron James take (05:19), and discuss if LeBron’s Knicks towel moment was a not-so-subtle pressure sign to the Lakers (19:08). They also delve into the Bucks needing to find their identity with Doc Rivers now as coach, the irony of Kawhi Leonard potentially winning MVP the year load management rules were instituted (29:15), whether the Warriors should look to trade away Klay Thompson (37:20), and more!Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Erika Cervantes, Ben Cruz, and Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Austin and Pausha highlight last night’s Lakers dominance with Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell leading the way (and without LeBron James and Anthony Davis) (1:12), then jump into the debate circulating around the 65-game rule that has stars like Joel Embiid pushing themselves to play through injury (16:12). Later, they run through the All-Star reserves and hit on which players were snubbed and why (31:12)!Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Austin and Pausha kick things off talking about everything surrounding Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl and why they’ve come around on her and Travis Kelce’s relationship (1:12). Then, they dive right into some hoops, starting with a Miami Heat conversation in which they unpack whether or not the regular season will determine their playoff success (13:17) and why Bradley Beal needs to follow the Ray Allen mold in terms of adjusting his game, before then breaking down why D’Angelo Russell is the third best player on the Lakers (22:45). Later, they talk through the All-Star starters and discuss why Jalen Brunson was snubbed (29:40)!Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Austin and Pausha are back to hit on the news throughout the league, starting with the 70-piece Joel Embiid dropped on Wemby and the Spurs’ heads, as well as KAT getting his career-high 65 points against the Hornets (1:17). Then, they hit on the hiring of Doc Rivers to replace Adrian Griffin as new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and break down why Doc makes the most sense (21:46). Later, they discuss Terry Rozier’s fit with the Miami Heat after landing there via trade, and touch on what bothered them most about the Grant Williams–Kevin Durant altercation (38:00).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Austin and Pausha revisit the elite guard conversation and whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should be crowned as the league’s best (1:00), then, they touch base on the Pascal Siakam trade to Indiana (7:47), and talk through D’Angelo Russell’s impressive performance amid trade rumors (18:36). Later, they highlight the 40-point game KD had against the Pacers and respond to his claim that he should be included in the GOAT conversation (32:58). Then, they wrap things up discussing just how meaningful it would be for the Clippers to win an NBA Championship (54:21).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Austin and Pausha talk through which lineup is best for the Lakers as they look to turn their season around (2:35). They then talk through whether bringing back Dejounte Murray to pair with Wemby would make sense for the Spurs (13:10). Then, the guys get into another Warriors conversation where they discuss why they need to hit the eject button and blow up the roster entirely (28:25). Finally, Austin goes on an epic rant about garbage time in the NBA and why it actually matters to certain guys in the league (42:32).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Austin and Pausha celebrate their one year anniversary of ‘Off Guard’ by breaking down a week full of games, starting with the Timberwolves’ dominant win in Orlando before their unfortunate loss to the Celtics (4:14), and the Thunder’s 62-point demolition of the Trail Blazers (9:38). Then, they take a closer look at the Lakers’ post-IST struggles before offering up suggestions for potential trades to help fix both them and the Golden State Warriors (13:01), before wrapping things up with their power rankings in the Western Conference and how, specifically, the surging Los Angeles Clippers stack up (54:56).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Austin and Pausha are joined by three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to discuss this season’s impressive start and his role playing alongside All-Star teammates Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony-Towns (3:46). They talk about his career with Cholet Basket in France and his transition to the NBA playing with the Utah Jazz (14:16). Later, they dive into his goals on and off the court and hit on his relationship with Victor Wembanyama and other fellow European players in the league (41:41). And of course, Gobert responds to Draymond Green’s apology for their on-court altercation.Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiGuest: Rudy GobertProducers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Austin and Pausha begin by talking about the development of Victor Wembanyama and why the Spurs are in pressure mode to build around him (01:54). Then they discuss OKC’s win over Boston and whether SGA is currently the best guard in the league (14:38). After, they discuss recent reports of a “growing disconnect” between Darvin Ham and Lakers players (21:45). They end with a conversation revolving around Klay Thompson and Ricky Rubio and why we should do a better job of giving players their flowers (50:30).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Ben Cruz and Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Austin and Pausha kick off the new year by giving their thoughts on the Knicks trading away Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett to Toronto in exchange for OG Anunoby (05:05). They discuss why Anunoby is a good fit for Tom Thibodeau’s play style, what this means for Pascal Siakam’s future, and more. Then, they look into whether it’s time for the Warriors to reset the roster around Stephen Curry (30:08), if Derrick White should be an All-Star (36:30), Detroit finally snapping their 28-game losing streak (54:42), and more.Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Eduardo Ocampo and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.