Pound The Rock

We reflect on the devastating passing of Kobe Bryant. Our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of all those who lost their life in Sunday's tragedy.

**Reposted after an audio issue cut off the original track at the 34-minute mark** We briefly hit on Zion Williamson's impending return before making our picks for the Eastern and Western Conference All-Star teams. Who should start in the East backcourt? Is Trae Young's offense alone enough to get him in? Should the Celtics send Tatum or Brown? Have PG and KAT played enough to merit inclusion in the West? Is it finally Gobert's time? With the starters set to be announced Thursday, we discuss all that and more.

We make our midseason selections for every major award, nominate a clown of the NBA's first half, and break down how the 76ers might fare without Joel Embiid.

In our first episode of the new year, we discuss what Blake Griffin's latest knee surgery means for him and the Pistons, the challenges of finding trades for Andre Drummond and Kevin Love, whether injuries will prevent the KD/Kyrie Nets from competing for a championship, and whether Zion Williamson's impending return can launch a second-half playoff push for the Pelicans.

Utah and Denver hit their stride while we try to figure out what the hell is going on in the bottom half of the Western Conference

Ahead of their blockbuster clash, we talk about how our feelings have and haven't changed about the league-leading Lakers and Bucks. Then, some thoughts on James Harden's outrageous season and whether it's enough to make the Rockets legitimate championship contenders.

The Knicks put David Fizdale out of his misery, and we check in on the 10 players we thought could swing the 2019-20 season.

In honor of our 100th episode, we bring former co-host William Lou back on the show to talk all things Raptors: Their amazing start, unpredictable defense, emergent depth, stiffest competition in the East, chances of re-signing Fred Vanvleet, and more. Then we return to an old segment with Make or Miss.

We dig into the proposed changes coming to the NBA schedule and playoff format, while checking the pulse of the Spurs, Rockets, and Mavericks.

On this week's episode, we talk about why the Blazers signed Carmelo Anthony and what (if anything) he can do to help them, what Paul George's impressive return portends for a fully healthy Clippers team, the meaningful changes Andrew Wiggins has made to his game, the Raptors' championship ring "controversy," and the surprisingly potent Wizards offense.

We recap an eventful weekend in the NBA, in which Dion Waiters took an edible on a team flight, the Knicks embarrassed themselves again, the thriving Raptors and Celtics suffered significant injuries, and Damian Lillard dropped 60 points in a loss.

Which teams have surprised us, and who has been disappointing, over the first two weeks of the NBA season?

On a wild night in the NBA, an already dispiriting Warriors season gets a bit grimmer as Steph Curry breaks his left hand, Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns take each other down on and off the court, the Rockets and Wizards combine for 317 regulation points, and the Kings somehow lose again. We break it all down on a bonus episode!

Bouncing around the NBA to find the good (Suns, Wolves), the bad (Warriors, Kings), and the ugly (uh-oh, Kyrie)of opening week.

In our final episode before the start of the regular season, we take stock of some extension agreements and non-agreements (note: we recorded before the Kings extended Buddy Hield), as well as Zion Williamson's injury-related red flags. Then we predict how the 2019-20 campaign will unfold, from standings to playoff outcomes to awards.

On our penultimate preseason episode, we discuss LeBron James' tone-deaf criticism of Daryl Morey and the ensuing backlash, then break down the championship prospects of the Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers, and Clippers.

In this week's episode, we discuss the NBA's current political issues in China, what to make of some early preseason observations, and why the Bucks, 76ers, Warriors, and Jazz can - and can't - win the 2020 title.

With Media Day in the rearview and the preseason about to get underway, we discuss the Raptors' unconventional title defense, the Knicks' latest self-own, the usefulness of James Harden's one-legged step-back, and the non-contending teams that fascinate us most.

Which up and coming players are ready to shine this season, and which stars are about to fall off?

How high can the Nets, Lakers, Raptors, Mavs, Pacers, Thunder, and Celtics climb? How low can they fall? On this week's episode, we're talking about the teams with the widest range of potential outcomes for the coming season.