48 Minutes with Ryan Ward Talking LA Lakers

0:00 Intro 1:43 Bruce gives a quick shoutout & then explains the concept of tonight’s show 3:01 Atlanta Hawks 4:50 Boston Celtics 7:15 Brooklyn Nets 8:59 Charlotte Hornets 11:05 Chicago Bulls 12:45 Cleveland Cavaliers 14:59 Detroit Pistons 17:07 Indiana Pacers 19:45 Miami Heat 21:45 Milwaukee Bucks 24:33 New York Knicks 27:46 Orlando Magic 30:38 Philadelphia 76ers 34:11 Toronto Raptors 36:03 Washington Wizards 38:25 Dallas Mavericks 40:23 Denver Nuggets 42:57 Golden State Warriors 44:58 Houston Rockets 47:27 LA Clippers 49:22 LA Lakers 52:16 Memphis Grizzlies 55:10 Minnesota Timberwolves 58:16 New Orleans Pelicans 1:00:58 OKC Thunder 1:03:31 Phoenix Suns 1:06:22 Portland Trail Blazers 1:09:45 Sacramento Kings 1:12:01 San Antonio Spurs 1:15:16 Utah Jazz

15 Okt 20241h 18min

0:00 ... Ross welcome and introduces the panelists 0:46 ... Episode #125 honors Doc Rivers, who wore #25 during his entire NBA career 0:55 ... Bet OnLine live read 1:42 ... Bruce introduces PJ Carlesimo and points out his many attributes, including his ability to convince Italian restaurants all over the country to keep their kitchens open late when he is in town doing a game. 3:03 ... PJ on the "new look" New York Knicks and how Tom Thibodeau will deploy his new guys like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. 5:43 ... PJ says that with Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo headed to Minnesota and Towns coming to New York, this trade will be great for both teams. 7:30 ... As for the Boston Celtics, both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have chips on their shoulders heading into the season. Bruce asks PJ if Joe Mazzulla will be able to channel some of that beef into positive energy that will fuel a long playoff run and possible repeat championship. PJ feels Mazzulla is up to the challenge. 14:42 ... The 76ers are also loaded now that Paul George has joined Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey for a new "Big Three" in Philly. Ross wonders if Nick Nurse should ignore the 65 game minimum for his oft-injured stars (PG and Joel) and make sure they're well rested for the playoffs. PJ says he thinks Nurse should play them more than 65 games, which he feels is important in order for them to be ready to perform at a higher level in the postseason. 19:17 ... Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers hired Rajon Rondo as an assistant coach and Michael asks if PJ thinks he has what it takes to be a head coach in the league. PJ has a lot to say about the Bucks and how Giannis needs to step up and do a better job on the court. PJ said there was a lot of finger pointing in Milwaukee, which did not help the team last season. Health is a key for the Bucks with Giannis and Khris Middleton needing to stay on the court. PJ appreciates Rondo's hoop IQ and say he has a chance to be a great coach but there's more to being a head coach than what many people think. 25:40 ... PJ sees a dark horse team in the east and feels Indiana has been undervalued and explains that if they stay healthy, they're a dangerous team. The east is deeper than it has been in years and nobody is going to waltz through the conference this season. 28:09 ... It's now "Wemby's World" although he's still too young to drink red wine with head coach Gregg Popovich. PJ discusses the Spurs culture that Pop and RC Buford have built. Pop is great with "X's and O's," but his real strength is the relationships he builds with his players. 31:10 ... While the Spurs were lucky to get him, PJ feels that Victor Wembanyama is also lucky to be playing in San Antonio where there is less of a spotlight on his every move. PJ says he always watches Victor because you will eventually see him do something that you just can't believe. PJ shares a story about a game he did with Marc Kestecher on ESPN Radio last season where Wemby made a move that he couldn't even describe. 37:21 ... Michael asks for PJ's take on the relatively young Oklahoma City Thunder and whether they are seasoned enough to come out of the west this season. Chet Holmgren will be bolstered by Isaiah Hartenstein's presence and their rebounding will be much improved. But PJ describes the western conference as a "bloodbath" with so many strong teams competing on a nightly basis. 41:48 ... Ross asks about PJ's dark horse teams out west. Golden State isn't quite there yet but Phoenix will benefit from their new coach (Mike Budenholzer) and upgraded point guards. Kevin Durant is still the best closer in the league and never misses free throws. Devin Booker and Bradley Beal will be guys he has his eyes on. 44:52 ... Bruce wonders if Bronny James will flourish alongside LeBron. PJ feels kind of bad for Bronny because of the shadow cast by LeBron. PJ hopes he can be evaluated as a player and not as LeBron's son. 46:45 ... JJ Redick is now coaching the Lakers and the pressure in LA is always "win a title or the season is a failure." With Anthony Davis and LeBron, the rest of the guys need to really step up and that is JJ's mission. 49:04 ... PJ on Duke freshman Cooper Flagg and whether he is a "can't miss" player. PJ says he is the real thing and is totally convinced that he will live up to the hype. PJ got some Luka Doncic vibes watching him play. 52:53 ... PJ says Flagg doesn't really remind him of any other previous players. But he competed against MEN and more than held his own. The Olympics players will all say "he IS that good." 54:42 ... Ross thanks PJ for joining the show and says goodbye ... TRT 55:32

8 Okt 202455min

0:00 Intro 1:35 Bruce pays tribute to Dikembe Mutombo who lost his battle with brain cancer 4:06 Karl Anthony-Towns traded to the New York Knicks 6:07 Is KAT the correct big swing for New York? 8:14 Does KAT’s style of play mesh with Tom Thibodeau’s style? 9:47 Knicks offensive spacing might look very similar to the Celtics 11:07 Can KAT handle all the pressure that comes with playing in New York with the Knicks? 12:45 Does KAT have the killer instinct? 15:24 Julius Randle’s fit with the Minnesota Timberwolves 17:28 Any ball sharing or ball movement concerns in Minnesota? 20:46 Derrick Rose announces his retirement 25:40 Kawhi Leonard will not be starting Clippers Training Camp 100% 29:18 Zach Lowe out at ESPN 37:45 The top storylines we’re looking forward to heading into the new season! 37:57 How the 76ers & Knicks try to compete with the Boston Celtics 40:30 Can the Boston Celtics repeat as NBA champions 42:46 Vince Carter set to have his jersey retired with both the Brooklyn Nets & Toronto Raptors

1 Okt 202447min

0:04 ... Opening Animation and Welcome to the show.  Ross introduces the 48 Minutes crew of Bruce Bernstein and Michael "World B" Freer. 0:40 ... Show #123 is dedicated to Lou Williams 1:10 ... Ross Live commercial read for BetOnline 1:48 ... Joel Embiid signs a three year contract extension for $192.9 million and everyone feels he has earned it and is deserving of the pay day. 5:48 ... Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks will miss the first few months of the season and coach Tom Thibodeau will need to use all of his creativity in order to fill the void he leaves. 10:17 ... With Boston's Kristaps Porzingis also missing the first three months, Embiid and the Sixers could bust out of thre gate and build a nice cushion in the Atlantic Division. 13:25 ... Western Conference Over/Under Win Predictions ... Phoenix Suns 15:42 ... Sacramento Kings 18:24 ... Golden State Warriors 20:36 ... Los Angeles Lakers 24:04 ... LA Clippers 26:46 ... Oklahoma City Thunder 30:13 ...Minnesota Timberwolves 33:29 ... Denver Nuggets 35:30 ... Utah Jazz 38:03 ... Portland Trailblazers 41:49 ... Dallas Mavericks 44:26 ... Memphis Grizzlies 47:53 ... New Orleans Pelicans 50:48 ... Houston Rockets 53:06 ... San Antonio Spurs 55:50 ... Ross pays tribute to Phoenix Suns play-by-play announcer Al McCoy who passed away this week at the age of 91. 56:36 ... Bruce follows up with some thoughts on how long-time play-by-play announcers bond with the fans in a much different way than the players.  Legendary announcers like Chick Hearn, Marv Albert, McCoy, and others like Mike Gorman become part of the lives of the fans of the teams. 58:04 ... Ross says goodbye   TRT 58:19

26 Sep 202458min

0:00 Intro 2:02 Burning Questions leading up to the NBA Preseason 2:12 Which playoff teams from last season are most likely to have a drop off this season? 18:09 Which team out East outside of the playoff field last season is most likely to be in the playoffs this season? 23:22 Which players should fans be on alert to take the leap into stardom next season? 34:19 Which team out West outside of the playoff field last season is most likely to be in the playoffs this season? 40:08 Ross’s Best Bets: A look into some early preseason prop bets! 40:24 James Harden to average 20 ppg next season 41:15 Paul George to average 23 ppg next season 42:44 Brandon Miller to average 23 ppg next season 44:17 Tyus Jones to average 6 apg next season 45:19 Immanuel Quickley to average 20 ppg next season 46:35 Final Thoughts

17 Sep 202450min

0:00 Intro 1:42 Bruce asks Ross to provide a recap of Giannis Antetokounmpo's wedding in Greece 05:02 An Eastern Conference Focus on team Over/Under Win Projections 05:20 Boston Celtics 08:49 New York Knicks 11:23 Philadelphia 76ers 14:23 Toronto Raptors 17:40 Brooklyn Nets 20:55 Milwaukee Bucks 24:19 Cleveland Cavaliers 27:25 Indiana Pacers 30:39 Chicago Bulls 33:46 Detroit Pistons 37:23 Orlando Magic 40:18 Miami Heat 42:41 Atlanta Hawks 45:33 Charlotte Hornets 48:23 Washington Wizards

10 Sep 202452min

0:00 .... Bruce hello and welcome 0:48 .... Live Bet OnLine read 1:29 ... Bruce introduces special guest Bill Pidto of MSG Network 2:27 .. How important is it to the NBA when the Knicks are relevant? 3:39 ... What has made Knicks president Leon Rose so successful in rebuilding the Knicks? 5:50 ... OG Anunoby joined the team during the season last year but he'll be in training camp this season ... what will the impact be when he is around from the start of the season this time around? 7:03 ... Julius Randle can be a polarizing figure, but Bill explains why he is so important to the team. 8:50 ... Bill and World B discuss how close the Knicks are to the Celtics in the eastern conference pecking order. 9:52 ... Head coach Tom Thibideau has a very deep team but still faces many challenges and Bill sizes them up. 12:02 ... The atmosphere in New York is electric when the Knicks are making a playoff run and the excitement level will be at a fever pitch this season. 13:27 ... With the departure of Isaiah Hartenstein, Jericho Sims may be asked to step up along with Precious Achiewa to fill that void behind Mitchell Robinson.  As the season goes on, the team's cap space could improve and then a move could be possible to shore up that position. 15:05 ... The Knicks would have liked to keep Hartenstein but the numbers didn't allow it. 16:43 ... Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby are lockdown wing defenders which may help overcome the lack of a rim protector if Mitchell Robinson is out of the lineup.  Bill feels there are very few centers in the east that will test the Knicks rim protection. 18:38 ... Will the four Villanova guys (Brunson, Hart, Bridges, DiVincenzo) see time on the floor together?  Bill feels it could be a viable "small" lineup with Randle at center. 19:55 ... Although the team did give up a lot of future assets to acquire Bridges, there is one player (Randle) that could potentially be moved if the Knicks feel they need to replenish their future draft assets.  But Bill feels that is very unlikely. 21:20 ... What was the significance of Jalen Brunson taking less money in his new deal in order to give the team more cap flexibility?  Bill feels he put the team first while Bruce wonders if there could be any unintended consequences for his act of unselfishness. 24:16 ... World B's Knicks loyalty goes back many years but he understands the hype and he asks Bill  what the team's actual ceiling is. 26:23 ... Bruce, our resident Celtics fan is just itching for a Celtics/Knicks eastern conference finals which everyone feels will be an epic series. 27:48 ... The Knicks have done a good job of keeping their retired legends involved with the team and that adds to the excitement of the fans. 29:30 ... Bruce thanks Bill and teases next week's show with fellow BLEAV podcaster Ryan Ward of the "Jello Jiggin" Lakers-centric podcast. TRT 30:14

27 Aug 202430min