The 2023 NBA Play-In & Playoffs Weekend Preview!

0:00 ... Hello and Welcome 0:36 ... Bruce quickly recaps the three series that should end quickly 1:36 ... World B explains how load management helped Kawhi Leonard get off to a fast start for the Clippers 2:43 ... Ross has words of praise for Rui Hachimura of the Lakers, who saved his best performance as a Laker for a very big moment 4:36 ... Bruce shows his respect for Miami's Jimmy Butler, the former Marquette star who came back to Milwaukee and crushed the Bucks in game one 5:09 ... World B expresses concern about the Bucks' offense as game 2 against the Heat approaches and Ross pipes in on the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and it's affect on the Bucks' offense. 7:17 ... Ross wonders why Jae Crowder was such a non-factor for the Bucks in game one 11:08 ... Despite losing at home in game one, Bruce identifies several "silver linings" for the Bucks coming off the loss 14:34 ... The Lakers beat Memphis in game one and their transition offense was a big reason 16:22 ... Role players Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves overshadowed superstars Anthony Davis and LeBron James in the first game of the Lakers/Grizz series 18:06 ... Ja Morant injured his shooting hand and the crew discusses the chances of Memphis beating LA if he is out of the lineup 20:56 ... Russell Westbrook of the Clippers had one of his most improbable "big game" performances in game one against the Suns 23:29 ... The two headed Clippers Center (Ivica Zubac and Mason Plumlee) gave DeAndre Ayton of the Suns all he could handle in game one 26:24 ... Phoenix stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker need to be MUCH better in game two 30:18 ... The Warriors/Kings matchup has all the makings of an all time great playoff series 32:59 ... Can Malik Monk of Sacramento continue his torrid shooting as the series moves forward? 35:20 ... The Warriors always win a road game in every playoff series ... will the streak continue? 36:07 ... Kings coach Mike Brown kept calling for screen and rolls against the team he knows well after being a Warriors assistant for 6 seasons 38:43 ... Both Steve Kerr and Brown are using their entire roster rather than tightening up their rotations in the first game of the series 39:11 ... The gritty New York Knicks did what they always seem to do in game one against the Cavaliers 42:02 ... The Cavs have some young players who lacked poise in game one and need to mature quickly 46:47 ... Ross shares his Best Bets on some Clippers parlays that will make you some money 48:03 ... Bruce's closing thought is on "Bloody Sunday" where injuries to key players cast a pall over the first weekend of action 49:37 ... World B takes Russell Westbrook to task for his antics with a fan at halftime of game one 53:22 ... Ross quotes the great Pat Riley who said "A series doesn't start until the home team loses." 54:20  ... Bye for now TRT: 54:37

18 Apr 202354min

0:00 Intro 0:54 Ross steals the tip to discuss Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s post podcast game performances 2:09 Kevin gives his two cents on the Dallas Mavericks decision to tank & the crew react as well 7:42 Bruce uses his opening tip to touch on the Lakers & their chances moving forward 10:02 World B reflects on the Minnesota Timberwolves decision making during the past summer & this weekend 13:55 The crew along with special guest Kevin Winter break down the play in matchups & make their predictions 13:56 Atlanta Hawks @ Miami Heat play in game preview/predictions 18:24 Minnesota Timberwolves @ LA Lakers play in game preview/predictions 24:26 Chicago Bulls @ Toronto Raptors play in game preview/predictions  28:30 Oklahoma City Thunder @ New Orleans Pelicans play in game preview/predictions 31:57 The rest of the Western Conference 1st Round Matchups set in stone 32:06 Golden State Warriors/Sacramento Kings 1st Round series preview/predictions 38:05 LA Clippers/Phoenix Suns 1st Round series preview/predictions 43:55 The rest of the Eastern Conference 1st Round Matchups that are solidified  44:04 Brooklyn Nets/Philadelphia 76ers 1st Round series preview/predictions  47:06 New York Knicks/Cleveland Cavaliers 1st Round series preview/predictions 54:48 Our final NBA Award Picks featuring ESPN Radio Studio Host Kevin Winter’s picks 54:56 This year’s 2022-2023 NBA MVP 59:57 The 2022-2023 NBA Rookie of the Year 1:01:14 The 2022-2023 NBA Coach of the Year 1:03:04 The 2022-2023 Most Improved Player  1:05:07 The Sixth Man of the Year 1:07:54 The Defensive Player of the Year 1:10:40 Bruce shares his final thought on Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat 1:11:53 World B uses his final thought to give Brooklyn Nets Head Coach Jacque Vaughn some well deserved credit  1:13:26 Special guest Kevin Winter gives his final thought on what round of the NBA playoffs he’s most looking forward too 1:15:05 Ross shows much deserved love & recognition to the voice of the Phoenix Suns Al McCoy

11 Apr 20231h 17min

0:00 Intro 1:10 Thanasis shares his motivation on why he decided to start his own podcast 2:31 With both a Nigerian & Greek background Thanasis explains a strong similarity between the two 4:18 Having 4 brothers Thanasis discusses his role growing up as the second oldest in the family 5:23 Thanasis explains how cool & special the journey has been being teammates with Giannis in Milwaukee as well as sharing these experiences with Kostas & Alex 8:33 Did Kostas brag about winning a Championship before Giannis & Thanasis? 9:53 Thanasis reflects on the Bucks finishing with the best overall record in the Eastern Conference 11:15 Ross asks Thanasis how he stays well conditioned & ready to play when called upon 13:06 World B asks Thanasis is he sees any similarities between this year’s team & the 2021 Championship team 14:40 How important is it for teams to have playoff experience as the pressure builds in a series? 16:41 Thanasis shares just how competitive practices are with the guys on this year’s Bucks roster 17:53 Bruce challenges Thanasis to determine which Disney character Brook Lopez most resembles 19:19 World B asks Thanasis to give us insight on how this Bucks offense has improved a ton since the All-Star break 21:13 Thanasis discusses the Antetokounbros project  22:38 Is Joe Ingles a fashionable guy?  26:14 The Clippers once again win the Battle of LA on Wednesday night 34:37 How the rest of the West shapes up  41:03 If you were a Suns fan would you rather Phoenix play the Clippers or the Warriors in 1st Round? 43:49 Bruce shares his final thought on Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzula’s lack of coaching experience in the playoffs  45:46 World B discusses the latest Zion Williamson update given by the Pelicans & shares his thoughts 48:14 Ross uses his final thought to discuss Kyrie Irving & the Dallas Mavericks. Bruce & World B chime in.

7 Apr 202352min

0:00 ... Hello and Welcome ... 0:36 ... Opening Comments: Bruce looks forward to Andrew Wiggins' long awaited return to the Golden State Warriors after missing 22 games due to a family issue involving his father's health. 1:55 ... World B has a problem with Kawhi Leonard sitting out the second half against Memphis due to load management. 3:17 ... Ross is relieved that the new collective bargaining agreement between the players and management has been agreed upon. 4:40 ... Bold Predictions: Bruce says the Nets will win their final four games, secure the #6 seed in the eastm and his the postseason with some momentum. 7:05 ... World B says the Lakers will not only make the postseason, they'll secure the #6 seed out west and avoid the Play In games. 8:35 ... Ross predicts that the Suns will not lose another game heading into the playoffs. 11:03 ... High Drama in the East ... Milwaukee, Boston, and Philly are the top three teams but there's a lot of unfinished business. 15:00 ... Ross wants to know who will step up for the Bucks if Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday have off night in the playoffs. 21:03 ... Boston needs Robert Williams III to play to his potential if they expect to come out of the east. 25:45 ... Two of the three MVP Favorites are Giannis and Joel Embiid but their recent head to head matchup didn't decide anything. 29:39 ... Playoff matchups we want to see ... Bruce hopes the Celtics and Heat meet in the first round because they have a rich postseason history and the teams don't really like each other. 32:22 ...World B wants to see the Knicks and the Cavaliers go at it with New York's Julius Randle healthy enough to make an impact. 37:16 ... Ross hopes the Kings and Warriors match up in round one as the franchises are in close proximity and the fans of both teams will be incredibly passionate. 41:26 ... The "48 Minutes Awards" are announced ... The categories are "He Came out of Nowhere" with nominees Austin Reaves, Lauri Markkanen, and Jalen Brunson. 44:29 ... The nominees for the "Mr Indispensable Award" are Tyrese Maxey, Steven Adams, and Nikola Jokic. 47:19 ... The nominees for the "Leadership Award" are Jrue Holiday, Jalen Brunson, and CJ McCollum. 51:14 ... And finally, the "I Got You" Award nominees are Robert Williams III, Marcus Smart, and DeAaron Fox. 54:02 ... Final Thoughts: Bruce doesn't think Angel Reese of LSU owes anyone other than her teammates an apology for her actions at the end of Sunday's NCAA Women's Championship game. 55:53 ... World B has praise for the Oklahoma City Thunder and their gesture honoring the late wife of Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams on Sunday evening. 57:19 ... Ross is curious about which teams will be "spoilers" in the final week  of the regular season. 58:07 ... Bye until next time ...   TRT: 58:24

4 Apr 202358min

0:00 Intro 1:22 Russell Westbrook’s big time performance on Wednesday night is Bruce’s opening thought 2:41 World B shares what he’s currently covering & name drops a future G-League Ignite prospect to keep an eye on 4:42 Ross discusses NBA player comps for Naz Reid & Jordan Poole  8:24 The crew breaks down the Celtics/Bucks matchup & why they’re the best 2 teams in the NBA 18:25 Kevin Durant finally makes his Suns home debut 25:33 OKC has been bringing the Thunder here recently 32:30 Bruce plays GM & offers a suggested deal for the Thunder to land Naz Reid this summer 37:23 The Rest of the West the crew provides an update on what’s going on  52:55 Ross shares his favorite Minnesota Timberwolves Same Game Parlay for best bets 53:59 Bruce uses his final thought to discuss his good friend in Kings Head Coach Mike Brown 55:06 World B touches on the March Madness tournament  56:39 Ross shares all the history behind the epic performances of Jrue Holiday & Giannis on Wednesday night 57:44 Bruce briefly brings up the Julius Randle injury

31 Mar 202358min

0:00 ... Hello and Welcome and here's the opening tip. 0:50 ... Opening Comments: Bruce praises Boston's Jaylen Brown for his great play and his contributions to the community. 2:20 ... "World B" bemoans the continuing conflict between players and officials. 4:17... Ross gives love to the Denver Nuggets for their great performance against the Bucks over the weekend. 5:40 ... The Dallas Mavericks have been a complete mess since acquiring Kyrie Irving in February, but is he really the only one who should be blamed for all of their problems? 16:04 ... The Minnesota Timberwolves are playing great ball down the stretch and while Karl-Anthony Towns has been one reason, there's another "big" getting it done for the Wolves. 24:30 ... In the Eastern Conference, the young Cleveland Cavaliers are making lots of noise but are they really ready to contend for the title? 28:13 ...The 76ers have been hot for three months, but they've stumbled on their current west coast swing. 32:03... The Celtics have been on fire since Robert Williams III returned last week but can they maintain it? 34:12 ... The Bucks have flipped the switch and become a lethal offensive team to go along with their always tough defense. 38:44 ... Bruce's "Show and Tell" item is an autographed piece of Boston Celtics history, 40:59 ...World B's item was inherited from his Dad and features a connection to a New York Knicks icon. 43:13 ... Ross' items are some very special basketball cards with a connection to a former colleague in Milwaukee. 46:46... Closing Thoughts: Bruce hopes Ben Simmons can regain his health and confidence, but he has a lot of work to do. 48:40 ... World B has some thoughts on the money that is riding on the All-NBA teams and the guys discuss whether members of the media should vote on them. 53:50... Ross has praise for a record set by Jordan Nwora of the Indiana Pacers, who scored 25 points in a quarter against the Hawks last Saturday. 55:09 ... Bye and see you next time!   TRT 55:27

28 Mar 202355min

0:00 Intro 0:31 Bruce chimes in on Paul Silas being the honoree for tonight’s episode 1:00 World B pays tribute to passing of Knicks legend Willis Reed 3:09 Bruce touches on Willis Reed before discusses Timelord’s return to the Celtics lineup  4:54 Ross tells the listeners about an NBA Wordle that exists & has Bruce/World B play today’s challenge 6:47 The crew discusses the big return games for KAT and Ja 15:52 The LA Lakers are making a strong push at the end of the season 24:20 Midroll Ad 24:33 Miami is Heating Up! 31:36 Mayhem Out West - The Western Conference Plays Musical Chairs! 42:58 Bruce calls a clutch timeout to be sure to discuss the Dallas/Golden State fiasco  45:38 Ross shares his favorite Sacramento Kings Same Game Parlay  46:31 Bruce gives his final thoughts on the Philadelphia 76ers 48:03 World B touches on the current state of the New York Knicks  49:16 Ross gives a special birthday shoutout for his final thought

24 Mar 202350min