48 Minutes: All Star Thoughts, Preseason predictions at the Break, Second half thoughts

0:00 Intro 1:41 Bruce asks Ross to explain why the show wasn’t recorded Monday night 3:32 Breaking news out of Milwaukee, Damian Lillard is out indefinitely due to a blood clot 6:08 The Boston Celtics franchise has been sold! 10:34 The crew share their brief thoughts on the NBA’s potential expansion team scenarios 11:59 Bruce provides some Boston fan perspective on the Celtics home arena situation 13:10 The Cavs just suffered their roughest stretch of the season 17:23 The LA Clippers are finding their stride, are we sleeping on them? 21:53 Jimmy Butler made his first return to Miami 25:55 Musical Chairs out West! The battle for playoff positioning 26:23 Houston Rockets 30:03 Denver Nuggets 33:48 LA Lakers 36:34 Memphis Grizzlies 40:40 Musical Chairs out East! The battle for playoff positioning 40:56 Indiana Pacers 43:24 Milwaukee Bucks 46:29 Detroit Pistons

26 Mar 50min

0:00 ... Ross hello and welcome ... introduces tonight's panelists 0:44... Episode #148 dedicated to the Houston Rockets, who average 48 rebounds a game 0:56 ... Bet OnLine Live commercial read 1:31 .. Bruce introduces special guest Kevin Winter, the veteran ESPN Radio personality 2:35 ... We start out with a robust discussion of the Cleveland Cavaliers and whether they've "Got It."  Kevin sees the Cavs as a team that has excelled because of the emergence of Evan Mobley.  But Kevin sees the eastern conference as a "two horse" race with the Cavs and Celtics. 5:17 ... World B makes an excellent point about the lack of efficiency by the Celtics' starting lineup.  Kevin feels like the C's learned how to win last year, and may have handled the target on their backs well enough to flip the switch in the postseason. 7:49 ... What about the OKC Thunder ... do they look like a championship team?  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) has become someone almost impossible to stop. 9:50 ... Bruce felt OKC's lack of rebounding heading into the season was a problem they have fixed.  Kevin feels like the Thunder's defense swarms opponents extremely effectively and they have learned from last year's premature playoff exit. 12:46 ... World B tees up a discussion on whether SGA is a "foul baiter" and Kevin says he is not.   Everyone agreed that SGA is crafty not phony. 16:39 ... The NBA is investigating the Thunder for resting their starters in a home game against Portland, but does OKC deserve any punishment? 19:32 ... The top three teams: OKC, Boston, and Cleveland appear to be the class of the NBA.  But what are the concerns for each team moving forward?  Health is an issue for all three teams but OKC's youth is also an issue.  Boston has no clue how to stop Donovan Mitchell. 26:43 ... The crew discusses which team was the biggest disappointment this season.  Philly tops the list.  Bruce has a fun fact about how much Paul George made "per game" during his injury plagued season. 29:26 ... Luke Doncic and LeBron James have done a great job developing chemistry, but can the Lakers actually compete for the western conference championship if and when LeBron returns to good health? 34:54 ... JJ Redick has done a great job coaching the Lakers and has made some great strategic moves this season. 35:58 ... Has Jimmy Butler made the Warriors a team that could make the conference finals or even win the west?   Butler is hungry and would love to have a crack at guarding some of the OKC wings. 39:43 ... Ross likes the Memphis Grizzlies and feels that they have successfully overcome a lot of injuries and are a complete team.  Kevin feels that the Grizz could make a run in the west. 42:18 ... Bruce worries that Dallas is rushing Anthony Davis back too soon and are trying to save a season that is already lost.  He's going to the G-League to continue his rehab but shutting him down seems like a much smarter idea. 45:23 ... Who does Kevin feel will meet in the NBA Finals? 47:10 ... Cooper Flagg is the projected overall #1 pick, so which of the struggling teams would be the best fit for him. 50:27 ... We can't do a show after Selection Sunday without briefly discussing March Madness.   Since Kevin, Bruce, and World B don't have teams in the NCAA Tournament, we all discuss which team we'd root for since our favorite college teams aren't involved (except for Ross's Marquette squad). 54:29 ... Ross wraps it up, thanks Kevin and says goodbye until next time. TRT 55:00

18 Mar 55min

0:00 Intro 1:33 Bruce questions Ross’s choice in players for the episode’s dedication 1:57 Bruce introduces special guest NBA reporter Christian Clark 2:51 Is the anger over the Luka trade still burning for Mavericks fans in Dallas? 4:34 Has anyone made sense of why Nico Harrison settled for so little in return for Luka Doncic? 6:06 Are Mavericks fans feeling like the Mavericks might be cursed with all the injuries after trading Luka? 9:20 Will Jaden Hardy surprise some people with his big opportunity that lies ahead? 11:11 What’s been the vibe in the Dallas locker room since the Luka trade & Kyrie injury? 12:58 Can this Mavericks team be a potential contender with everyone healthy? 15:25 Will the Mavericks organization ever be the same without Mark Cuban running the show? 17:32 If the Mavs somehow land the #1 overall pick to draft Cooper Flagg how far would that go in easing the anger of Mavericks fans? 18:57 How does Nico Harrison survive this trade? 20:17 Which Mavericks player is Christian’s favorite interview? 22:20 Having recently been around the Phoenix Suns, what’ s the vibe like around the struggling Phoenix Suns? 24:20 Does Christian see anything that might be the OKC Thunder’s achilles heel come playoff time? 25:55 Is there a team out West that’s been floating under the radar that may have what it takes to go on a roll in the playoffs? 27:19 Which young up & coming team out West has a been chance in the playoffs this year? The Houston Rockets or Memphis Grizzlies? 28:27 Have the OKC Thunder or Cleveland Cavaliers peaked too early? 30:06 Christian shares his MVP choice at the moment 31:08 Are the Minnesota Timberwolves still a dangerous team out West? 32:37 Where do the Milwaukee Bucks stand out East? 33:57 The Thunder versus the Cavaliers in the Finals, who does Christian give the edge too? 35:32 Did Luka’s arrival in LA rejuvenate LeBron James this season? 37:26 Where do the New Orleans Pelicans go from here after a disastrous season? 40:02 Christian shares his thoughts on Dyson Daniels having previously covered the New Orleans Pelicans 42:05 Will Dyson Daniels get some Defensive Player of the Year votes this year?

12 Mar 44min

0:00 ... Ross hello and welcome and introduces the crew. 0:35 ... Episode #146 is dedicated to John Konchar, who has worn #46 for his entire career in the NBA. 0:47 ... Ross live commercial read for BetOnLine 1:23 ... The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on a season-long roll and the crew breaks down the reasons for their incredible success.  Donovan Mitchell absolutely torched the Boston Celtics once again last Friday night. 7:50 ... The young Detroit Pistons team has won 9 of its last 10 games, including a huge win over the defending champion Celtics last Wednesday.  Their mix of great young talent plus newly acquired veterans like Malik Beasley have them in a great position to make the playoffs as the #6 seed in the east. 12:37 ... The Los Angeles Lakers are rolling and the chemistry is developing quickly between LeBron James and Luka Doncic.  They truly look like a team that is peaking at a good time and their defense has been incredible.  They may just be the number one threat to the OKC Thunder to represent the western conference in the NBA Finals. 18:29 ... The final two play-in spots out west look like they'll probably go to Sacramento and Dallas, but the young Portland Trailblazers are sitting at #11 and have been playing their best ball in years.  The guys size up Portland's chances of grabbing the #10 spot away from the Kings or Mavericks. 23:52 ... Jalen Suggs of the Magic will undergo surgery on his left knee and will be out indefinitely.  His loss removes a great two way player and considering what a poor shooting team the Magic are, they'll likely continue to disappoint.  In fairness to coach Jamahl Moseley, injuries to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Suggs have derailed their season. 30:18 ... Joel Embiid of the 76ers played just 19 games this season and has been shut down for the remainder of the season.  Bruce makes some comparisons between Embiid and the late Bill Walton who was also a super talented big man who battled injuries throughout his Hall of Fame career.  The entire 76ers' season has been one big dumpster fire burning out of control. 38:23 ... Jimmy Butler may have moved on to the Bay Area, but the Butler vs. Miami saga continues as he is being sued by a company in Miami Beach.  We'll offer details. 39:49 ... Bruce's final thought is on a play he attended last Friday called "King James," which is the story of two Cavaliers fans who bonded over their love of LeBron James. 40:54 ... World B's final thought is on Stephon Curry, the greatest shooter in history and someone who will eventually be considered one of the top five players of all time if he can win one more ring. 42:53 ... Ross's final thought is on Meyers Leonard, who recently announced his retirement.  Leonard wrote a country style song about his career and Ross is impressed with the quality of the song. 44:36 ... Bruce tells his fellow Celtics fans not to panic about some recent losses since Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis missed the game against Cleveland but should be ready for the postseason in good health. 45:26 ... Ross says goodbye   TRT 45:41

4 Mar 45min

0:00 Intro 1:33 Victor Wembanyama is out for the season due to a blood clot 5:44 More news out of San Antonio as Head Coach Gregg Popovich won’t be returning to the court as coach this season 8:01 The New York Knicks tough weekend, any legitimate concerns about the Knicks being contenders out East? 15:06 The Jimmy Butler effect in Golden State. Do the Warriors have new life? 18:36 The Play-In Bubble Race in each conference! 18:58 The Western Conference 10th spot is currently held by the Sacramento Kings 19:14 The San Antonio Spurs chances heading down the stretch of the season 23:36 The Phoenix Suns continue to search for answers to improve their playoff hopes 26:57 Can the Sacramento Kings hold onto the 10th & final play-in spot? 30:09 Is there any hope that the Portland Trail Blazers can sneak into the Western Conference play-in? 31:50 The Eastern Conference 10th spot is currently held by the Chicago Bulls 35:05 Give credit to the Brooklyn Nets this year, will the surprise us all & make the play-in? 39:33 Are the Sixers chances dead with how things continue to go in Philadelphia? 42:42 Bruce provides some NBA television news 44:15 Kevin Garnett is rumored to possibly joining the Minnesota Timberwolves front office under the new ownership

25 Feb 47min

0:00 Intro 1:37 Bruce welcomes Dave Wohl back onto the show 2:00 With the Mark Williams trade to LA being rescinded where do the Hornets/Lakers go from here? 4:00 Has Dave ever been part of a team that has had a trade rescinded in his career? 5:24 Has Lakers GM Rob Pelinka put himself in a position to potentially win the GM of the Year award? 6:46 The Jimmy Butler situation & downfall in Miami, has Dave ever been around a similar scenario? 11:32 Can Jimmy Butler be a difference maker for the Warriors chances out West? 13:25 The Brad Beal no trade clause. How challenging is it to trade a player with that kind of power? 14:54 Dave shares his insights on the Cavs acquiring Deandre Hunter 16:45 What exactly does “Cash Considerations” mean in a trade? 18:01 Can Ben Simmons provide a positive impact for the Clippers this season? 23:25 Is it strange that the Suns decided to trade an unprotected 2031 1st round pick for 3 1st round picks without another deal lined up? 25:09 Is De’Arron Fox the perfect fit & find by the Spurs to pair with Wemby? 26:39 What in the world is going on in Sacramento? 29:00 Did we learn anything from the Celtics/Knicks matchup this past weekend? 31:29 Dave shares his thoughts on the Houston Rockets this year 33:15 Is there a team outside of the Thunder that can come out of the Western Conference? 34:43 Is there any good reason for the NBA to consider shortening quarters? 39:10 Reflections/Memories on Hubie Brown as he called his final game last Sunday 42:07 Why did the Dallas Mavericks decide to trade Luka Doncic? 47:15 With the Lakers adding Luka, does this accelerate LeBron’s retirement or decelerate his retirement thoughts?

12 Feb 50min

0:00 ... Ross Geiger hello and welcome .... introduces co-hosts Bruce Bernstein and Michael "World B" Freer and teases our guest Peter Vecsey.  This week's show (#142) is dedicated to former Mavs player Maxi Kleber, who will now be a Los Angeles Laker. 0:59 ... Ross live commercial read for BetOnline. 1:39 ... Bruce introduces Peter Vecsey and mentions some of his memorable nicknames. 2:45 ... Peter discusses his best nicknames and shares a great story about Joe Barry Carroll, whom he dubbed "Joe Barely Cares."  Peter famously dubbed Larry Bird "Larry Legend." 4:35 ... Ross asks for Peter's reaction to the Luka Doncic/Anthony Davis trade and how none of the newsbreakers who cover the league had any clue it was happening. 10:32 ... Considering the principals in the deal, Peter shares his thoughts on some of the other deals that were historic but he feels than none were ever bigger than this one. 12:54 ... Peter tells why Dallas MAY have traded Luka and tells a story about how former Mavs coach Rick Carlisle left the Mavs because he did not like coaching Luka. 16:13 ... Why did the Mavericks want the often injured Anthony Davis? 17:15 ... The Lakers needed a big man, so naturally they traded their Hall of Fame big man. 20:12 ... Peter reacts to DeAaron Fox going to San Antonio and why he liked Fox prior to this season but has soured on him this year. 24:15 ... Bruce makes a joke about how the players for Archbishop Molloy H.S. in Queens (Peter's alma mater) were big time ballers and he joked how he was ahead of his time as a high school player. 24:53 ... Bruce takes a shot at Zach LaVine, who was traded from the Bulls to the Kings and how Sacramento's GM seems clueless.  Peter goes on to discuss Billy Donovan, his first NBA interview that was done for SportsChannel at Hofstra University where Bruce also worked. 27:26 ... On being inducted into the Hoop Hall of Fame in 2009.  Surprisingly Peter has little regard for the Hoop hall and Jerry Colangelo who is the boss. 31:23 ... Peter is annoyed that K.C. Jones is not in the Hall as a coach when he was voted one of the top 15 coaches of all time.  He relays a great story Larry Bird told him about how K.C. got through to Dennis Johnson when other coaches could not. 36:22 ... Bruce asks about Michael Jordan and John Stockton and their 2009 Hall of Fame speeches.  Peter tells a great story about how he took a big gamble during an interview with Stockton that he did for NBC where Stockton was tight lipped but how Peter eventually got him to open up. 39:21 ... World B initiates a discussion of the top players of all time ... Peter takes exception to the suggestion that MJ and LeBron are the two best ever.  Peter ticks off many others who are up there. 41:42 ... Kobe is also right up there and Peter shares some moments from their discussions over the years.  Their relationship was very close and he tells the story of how Kobe got his unusual first name. 44:44 ... Ross asks about the 65 game rule for postseason awards and Peter is in favor of it.  Peter is NOT in favor of Adam Silver's idea for 10 minute quarters. 46:47 ... Bruce asks about the new All-Star game format and how the event has become unwatchable.  Peter thinks the new tournament format may help make it more appealing.  He is not impressed with the new women's 3 on 3 league but transitions into a story about how K.C. Jones allowed him to work out with the Celtics teams of the 1980s and play full-court 4 on 4. 50:12 ... World B asks Peter who his favorite interview subject was ... and it was Larry Bird.  Of course, there's a couple of good Bird stories there!  And there's a great story about how Bird signed a photo for Peter's son as a birthday gift.  Peter truly misses being around Larry. 53:17 ... Peter shares some Bill Walton stories and how he helped Bill get into TV at NBC.  We exchanged some Walton stories. 55:10 ... Bruce asks about the MVP race and how Nikola Jokic probably won't win it this year due to voter fatigue but that Shai Gilgeous Alexander is deserving.  Peter feels OKC's record this year helps SGA.  Peter goes onto discuss Lu Dort, whom he watched at Arizona State and is a key reason for OKC's success. 58:48 ... Peter predicts OKC will win it all this year ... he praises Isaiah Hartenstein of the Thunder and can't believe how good he has become. 1:00:06 ... Ross thanks peter and says goodbye TRT 1:00:51

4 Feb 1h