Pound The Rock

With the NBA trying to navigate an outbreak of COVID-19 among its players, we discuss the updated health and safety guidelines, George Hill's complaint, why it might be time to vaccinate league personnel, the challenges that would come with suspending the season, and whether there are any good options when it comes to playing un-bubbled basketball at the height of the pandemic. We also delve into the latest in the James Harden saga, which appears to be reaching a breaking point, and Kyrie Irving's contentious leave of absence.

The Nets, Sixers, Pacers, Warriors, Pelicans, and Raptors have all had very interesting starts, for very different reasons.

On this holiday edition, we delve into the latest Rockets fiasco, James Harden's continued flouting of the NBA's health & safety protocols (and basic human decency), and the league's laughably toothless response. Then, we offer some quick-hitting takeaways from every team's season opener.

Are the Nets and Bucks in for disappointment? Are the Clippers better equipped to thrive? Can anyone challenge the Lakers? And wait, WHO did we just say is winning the 3-point title this year?

Giannis Antetokounmpo's supermax extension locks him into Milwaukee through his 20s, salvages a potentially catastrophic Bucks offseason, and leaves a few suitors out in the cold. We run through the implications for everyone involved. Is Giannis really destined to become a loyal loser? Are the Bucks out of the woods? Just how bleak is the once-ballyhooed 2021 free-agent starting to look? And how will the Raptors and Heat pivot from here?

Kyrie Irving's done dealing with the "pawns" in the media, Paul George commits to the Clippers, James Harden is anything but committed to Houston, and which players will break out and regress this season?

With Russell Westbrook and John Wall trading places, we sift through the implications of a blockbuster trade that doesn't seem to change all that much in the big picture. Does this make it more likely that James Harden and Bradley Beal stay put? Are the Rockets trying to get better, or eying a rebuild? How good can the Wizards be? Are there any winners or losers here? Then, with Lakers' Big 2 locking in long-term, we give a shoutout to GM LeBron.

We take stock of the Vegas over/under lines for regular-season win totals, and pick our favorite bets on the board. How will the Mavs, Jazz, Celtics, Raptors, Blazers, Pelicans, Hornets, and Suns fare relative to the expectations of the betting public? Then, we discuss how the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff bracket might shake out, with the Hawks pacing an underwhelming pack.

Which NBA teams have risen and fallen as a result of the last week?

We break down a chaotic draft day, including: - The implications of the Warriors losing Klay Thompson to an Achilles tear, and their choice to draft James Wiseman; - Why the Bucks-Kings deal for Bogdan Bogdanovic may have fallen apart, and what it means for both teams - Daryl Morey's first big showcase as Sixers president - Whether the Wolves are on the right track - The Knicks' potential free-agent plans - The Rockets' continued cost-cutting - The Clippers' trade for Luke Kennard - Much more

The Bucks go for broke to appease Giannis Antetokounmpo, while the Suns make their biggest splash in over a decade.

With rumor season in full swing, we react to Russell Westbrook's reported trade request, peer into the Rockets' potentially Knicks-ian future, and wonder if Westbrook's career was always destined to end this way. Then we parse the messy Victor Oladipo situation in Indiana, and eventually talk ourselves into him and Westbrook getting traded for each other. Finally, we assess the Chris Paul fit in Phoenix, and the challenges of squeezing DeMar DeRozan onto the Lakers. Plus a shout out to @yaboynimrit!

NBA teams have four weeks to prepare for the 2020-21 season. Can Daryl Morey solve a complicated equation for the Sixers? Where does Jrue Holiday end up?

The Athletic's Jovan Buha joins the show to talk all things Clippers, including how new head coach Ty Lue will differ from predecessor and mentor Doc Rives, whether Kawhi Leonard can adapt to a new offensive system, the roadblocks to adding a high-end point guard, the possibility of a Paul George trade, Montrezl Harrell's free agency, Ivica Zubac's role, balancing regular-season and playoff priorities, and whether shipping out the old guard can help solve the team's chemistry issues.

The Toronto Star's Doug Smith joins the show to talk about his book, 'We The North: 25 Years of the Toronto Raptors,' and to discuss a variety of topics related to the last quarter-century in NBA media and NBA "What-ifs?"

After a week off, we offer belated reactions to Daryl Morey's resignation, and ponder the Rockets' suddenly bleak future. Then, we react in real time to Indiana's hiring of Nate Bjorkgren as head coach, and discuss the fascinating offseasons awaiting the Pacers, Warriors, Raptors, and Thunder.

We put a bow on the longest, strangest NBA season in history by extolling LeBron James and his peerless longevity, considering the implications of Anthony Davis' narrative rewrite, eulogizing an inspiring Heat season, crediting the Lakers' phenomenal defense and surprisingly solid supporting cast, and tipping our caps to the NBA for pulling off the restart. A hearty thanks to all our listeners for following along this season!

Jimmy Butler and the Heat live to fight another day after an unforgettable showdown between Butler and LeBron James in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Breaking down Game 3 of The Finals, which saw Jimmy Butler put forth an all-time performance to lead Miami to victory over a lackadaisical Lakers squad. We discuss Butler's heroic exploits, whether he's actually better than Anthony Davis, how the Heat adjusted defensively to limit Davis and LeBron James, what LeBron can do differently, Kelly Olynyk's offensive impact, the disrespectful decision to play J.R. Smith, and more.

Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and the Lakers completely overwhelmed Miami in Game 1, and the Heat are already dropping like flies.