Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective

The podcast dives into the Lakers' recent dominance as they gear up for the playoffs and discusses the heated MVP race. With Luka's anticipated return, emotions run high for fans and teams alike. The conversation covers standout players like Austin Reeves and the competitive landscape for this year's NBA awards, including Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Listeners get insights into the complexities of evaluating talent and coaching impacts, making for a thrilling analysis of the league's current state.

Kevin Pelton, ESPN's NBA analytics expert, analyses the NBA's evolving trends, such as the surge in 3-point attempts and the Thunder's impressive season. He also dives into the MVP race and trade deadline insights. Joining the conversation is Ivica Zubac, the Clippers' center, who shares his thoughts on his standout season and aspirations for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Their discussions illuminate the shifting dynamics of the league as the playoffs approach, offering a blend of analytics and personal experience.

The latest discussion dives into the thrilling MVP race, spotlighting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. There's lively debate about surprise candidates making the top six as well as views on potential Defensive Player of the Year contenders. The possibility of the Thunder achieving a 70-win season creates buzz, and the conversation doesn’t shy from examining clutch plays and the intriguing 'cojones factor' for players. Plus, listeners get insights into playoff predictions and the impact of injuries on team dynamics!

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk the impact of a major coaching change from Memphis late in the season and what that means for the future of Ja Morant with the Grizzlies. Then, the guys talk Jalen Brunson’s return timeline for the Knicks, injuries harming the Bucks, a wild scene in the Pistons-Wolves game and take a trip to Cavs Corner. Plus, a big surprise for MacMahon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk the major takeaways from the NBA’s board of governors meeting in New York with commissioner Adam Silver. The guys cover the concept of league expansion inching ever closer, a new league in Europe, some unique clarification on the sale of the Celtics, how Minnesota’s ownership changes could greatly impact the team, if there is a fix to tanking in the NBA and a wild storytime from Windy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk the release of MacMahon’s new book, Anthony Davis returning for the Mavs, if the Suns’ win streak is something or nothing, the amount of concern for the Lakers’ struggles of late, the battle for the Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference, if Indiana can be a dangerous playoff team and some wild stories from MacMahon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk the Bulls’ surprising win streak of late, the Lakers’ stars returning as Western Conference seeding battles heat up, what is going wrong with the Cavs, get some injury news on Jalen Brunson, what seeds the top teams in the Eastern Conference will get, some curious comments from Wyc Grousbeck on the Celtics and preview MacMahon’s new book! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk the significance of the Celtics’ largest team sale in North American sports history and what this means for Boston going forward. Then, the guys discuss the Clippers streaking at the right time, some potential defensive issues for the Cavs, the current Defensive Player of the Year, some interesting lineup decisions for the Thunder and playoff seeding battles in the Eastern Conference. Plus, we rank the 11 best and worst rebuilding scenarios for teams across the NBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Kevin Pelton to talk the NBA Draft prospects you need to be watching this March as you fill out your brackets for the NCAA Tournament including Cooper Flagg’s ceiling, Kon Knueppel’s All-Star potential, some players who could become stars and who you will be hearing more from soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk the Warriors’ substantial improvement after the Jimmy Butler trade, if they are legit contenders, the Rockets’ improvement of late including if their young talent has superstar potential, the potential for the Mavs to have to forfeit games and Tony Allen’s jersey retirement in Memphis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices