Hardwood Knocks

WELCOME TO NBA 'HOT OR NOT?!' You submitted your hot takes. Dan and Grant are here to discuss whether they're too spicy or not incendiary enough. This batch of surface-of-the-sun takes will cover everything from max (or near-max) contract candidates this summer, the rise of the New York Knicks, the future of the Miami Heat, the MVP race and MUCH more! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 3:01 - The Sacramento Kings are more likely to win a playoff series than the Memphis Grizzlies 5:18 - A 10-seed will win one of the play-in tournaments 7:14 - Damian Lillard will make First Team All-NBA 12:03 - The 2024 Rookie of the Year race will be an all-timer 13:34 - The Dallas Mavericks OR LA Clippers will miss the playoffs 16:18 - The Knicks will win more than 50 games 18:34 - The betting favorites for DPOY and MIP will NOT win the awards 24:26 - Damian Lillard OR Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will receive more MVP votes than Jayson Tatum  25:34 - The Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets have the brightest futures in the NBA 29:02 - A ful

MAIL TIME. Dan drops Part 2 of this week's mailbag, which includes a look at the surging New York Knicks, the ambiguous L.A. Clippers, the NBA MVP race, Anthony Edwards, playoff seeds and more! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:39 - Anthony Edwards 5:02 - Are the New York Knicks actually good? 10:57 - The MVP discussion  32:05 - What happens to the L.A. Clippers if they implode during—or before—the postseason? 39:41 - Top Sixth Man of the Year candidates 48:48 - Predicted the top 10 seeds in both the East and the West...You're welcome? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreake

MAIL TIME. In Part 1 of a two-pod mailbag, Dan ventures through questions that cover the Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder, playoff basketball, Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:46 - Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Outlook 13:00 - Is it time for the Oklahoma City Thunder to go all-in this summer? 20:47 - Fred VanVleet's free-agency value 27:29 - What’s a bigger detriment to a team in the playoffs: a defensive ace with no offensive game, or a pure bucket that is an absolute liability on defense? 31:06 - Pascal Siakam's playmaking 35:27 - The Toronto Raptors outlook 41:09 - How much is Gary Trent Jr. Worth? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreake

Dan and Grant go through their EIGHT most interesting NBA teams heading into the stretch run of the 2022-23 regular season. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 3:23 - Most interesting team No. 1 8:55 - Most interesting team No. 2 12:40 - Most interesting team No. 3 13:22 - Will Kyrie be on the Mavs next season? 18:47 - Most interesting team No. 4 22:23 - Most interesting team No. 5 26:11 - Most interesting team No. 6 28:49 - Most interesting team No. 7 31:48 - Most interesting team No. 8 JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

MAIL TIME. In the latest mailbag, Dan and Grant tackle Cinderella candidates ahead of the 2023 NBA playoffs, discuss their best head coaches, the development of Mark Williams, Jerami Grant's free agency and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:15 - Are the Lakers cooked without LeBron James? 6:10 - Are the Jazz tanking? 10:46 - Do players deserve blame for load management? 16:15 - Can the Kings win a playoff series? 18:47 - Should the NBA implement a target score for overtime? 21:12 - Imagining Victor Wembanyama on a Finals contender 22:17 - Which team DON'T you want to see get Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson? 28:15 - Will the Jazz look at trading Lauri Markkanen over the offseason? 29:10 - The development of Mark Williams 33:56 - Jalen Duren or Mark Williams? 34:18 - Most likely playoff Cinderella stories 39:10 - Which team can steal Jerami Grant from the Blazers? 43:02 - Will the Grizzlies make a big trade this summer? 49:06 - Top five coaches in game management, strategy and x's o's. 56:50 - T

Dan reacts to some of the most pressing NBA news items: Quin Snyder (officially) joining the Atlanta Hawks, the LaMelo Ball injury, the LeBron James injury and the latest on CBA negotiations between the league and the players union. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:02 - Quin Snyder, the future of the Atlanta Hawks 18:47 - LaMelo Ball Injury 25:22 - Can the Lakers survive the LeBron James injury? 36:44 - Reacting to the latest CBA negotiation news: age limit, luxury-tax bands, extension rules JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Dan and Grant pose 10 pressing questions that they'll thinking about over the stretch run of the NBA regular season. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:46 - Which teams will emerge as surprise tankers? 6:08 - Which team will go down as a disastrous disappointment? 13:06 - What is the most impactful injury for the rest of this season? 15:59 - Who is the rightful title favorite? 19:46 - Will Russell Westbrook have a material impact, good or bad, on the Clippers' outlook? 24:39 - Which new arrival will have the biggest impact on their team?  29:04 - How concerned are we about the long-term trajectory of the New Orleans Pelicans? 35:25 - Will Kevin Durant's fit on the Phoenix Suns be seamless? 41:07 - Which buyout acquisition will matter the most? 45:26 - Which contenders will make major changes if they don't win a title? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: 

MAIL TIME. Dan and Grant plow through questions that cover Nate McMillan getting fired, the future of the Atlanta Hawks, fixes for NBA All-Star Weekend, the current parity, contenders who are actually frauds, rookie awards, the outlook of the Brooklyn Nets and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 4:23 - Nate McMillan firing, future of the Atlanta Hawks 14:28 - Fixing All-Star Weekend 23:21 - Is this parity in the NBA temporary? 28:26 - Which should-be contender is a fraud? 37:25 - Kevin Love to Miami, Will Cleveland regret it? 39:06 - Mac McClung's NBA future 40:33 - Dark horse spoilers for the playoffs 44:26 - Which contender might blow it up if they have a disappointing postseason? 49:14 - NBA Awards for Rookies 52:34 - Are the Orlando Magic the next version of the Memphis Grizzlies 53:36 - Which 1-6 teams are most likely to fall into play-in territory? Which 7-10 teams drop out of the play-in? 57:27 - How will the Nets operate this summer?  1:02:16 - Predicting post-All-Star leap JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/

Dan is joined by Sam Cooper (@scooperhoops) and Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) of The Timeline Podcast to for a DEEEEP dive into how the Kevin Durant trade impacts the Phoenix Suns both immediately and over the longer term. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:46 - WAS JOSH OKOGIE SNUBBED FROM THE THREE-POINT COMPETITION?! 3:38 - Thoughts about the Kevin Durant trade two weeks later... 6:38 - The opportunity cost of acquiring KD 14:10 - The urgency of Phoenix's window 19:16 - Most fascinating impact of Kevin Durant's on-court fit 24:42 - Concerns about the KD fit 31:51 - Deandre Ayton's fit 36:20 - Devin Booker's role post-KD 42:16 - Terrence Ross' fit 46:13 - Best guesses for the rotation/Buyout targets 52:59 - Should the Suns be considered title favorites? 57:36 - Toughest potential matchups 1:03:59 - Offseason priorities 1:06:28 - The Kyrie bugaboo JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TW

MAIL TIME. In Part 2 of our two-part mailbag, Dan and Grant cover the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker-at-point-guard lineups, the future of the Brooklyn Nets, Mikal Bridges' ceiling, the progression of Evan Mobley, the next blow-it-up candidates and much more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:11 - INTRO 3:03 - How far can the Nets go in the playoffs 5:27 - The expansion of Mikal Bridges' offensive game 10:11 - Pelicans vs. Magic 12:44 - Which team will look the most different next year after standing pat at the trade deadline? 16:27 - What's the worst destination for Victor Wembanyama and why is it the Rockets? 20:11 - Has Evan Mobley made THE LEAP? 25:12 - More valuable: Distant first-round picks or immediate first-rounders? 31:41 - Which team will do what the Nets or Jazz have done and tear it down next? 39:54 - Who would be the longest tenured Utah Jazz player next season? 42:12 - Did the Phoenix Suns give up too much for Kevin Durant? 48:53 - Will the KD trade have an impact on the CBA? 52:06 - Should Phoeni

MAIL TIME. In Part 1 of a two-part mailbag, Dan and Grant discuss the 2023 NBA All-Star Game and hold their own mock draft. After that, they talk about Rudy Gobert, the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron James, the impact of Zion Williamson's latest injury on the New Orleans Pelicans and much more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:11 - INTRO 4:05 - MOCK 2023 NBA ALL-STAR DRAFT 10:56 - Zion Williamson injury/availability 17:27 - Fixing All-Star Weekend 23:41 - Is LeBron James a bad leader? 32:55 - Should active players be allowed immediate entry into the Hall of Fame 36:35 - Rudy Gobert's trade value if the Timberwolves wanted to rebuild 42:45 - If the Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, where would their rebuild rank? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more abo

Dan runs through a list of potential buyout candidates and rattles off where he thinks they'd be best suited to play. JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Part 2 of our NBA trade deadline reaction covers the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and our biggest surprises/most under the radar moves. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:58 - INTRO 0:55 - Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons 9:18 - Atlanta Hawks 10:11 - Portland Trail Blazers 13:29 - Western Conference playoff picture 14:51 - Toronto Raptors/Jakob Poeltl 22:35 - Chicago Bulls 28:57 - Cleveland Cavaliers 35:38 - Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans  41:31 - New York Knicks, Zach LaVine, John Collins 50:04 - Biggest surprises, under the radar moves JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your a

This is Part 1 of our two-part podcast on the 2023 NBA trade deadline. Dan and Grant analyze the ins and outs of Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns, the Brooklyn Nets, the L.A. Clippers, Bones Hyland and Eric Gordon, the Denver Nuggets, the Memphis Grizzlies and Luke Kennard, every Los Angeles Lakers move and the impact of the D'Angelo Russell and Mike Conley trade on the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:58 - INTRO 6:04 - Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns,  21:39 - Brooklyn Nets 38:27 - L.A. Clippers 35:21 - Denver Nuggets 40:03 - Memphis Grizzlies 46:00 - Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network

Dan reacts to the three-team trade between the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz and what it means for each franchise moving forward. After that, it's on to the New York Knicks acquiring Josh Hart from the Portland Trail Blazers. Finally, we wrap up with some general NBA trade deadline thoughts and musings. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:58 - INTRO 4:13 - Los Angeles Lakers trade reaction 12:21 - Timberwolves trade reaction 15:21 - Utah Jazz trade reaction 25:08 - New York Knicks/Portland Trail Blazers trade reaction 34:51 - Live MAILBAG! JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at htt

Dan came up with one realistic 2023 NBA trade deadline prediction for every team. Some already don't look so hot. Others aren't so bad. One already even came true! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:58 - INTRO 3:29 - Atlanta Hawks 6:16 - Boston Celtics 7:27 - Brooklyn Nets 9:32 - Charlotte Hornets 10:38 - Chicago Bulls 11:51 - Cleveland Cavaliers 13:19 - Dallas Mavericks 15:03 - Denver Nuggets 17:10 - Detroit Pistons 18:54 - Golden State Warriors 20:01 - Houston Rockets 22:14 - Indiana Pacers 23:43 - L.A. Clippers 25:55 - Los Angeles Lakers 28:08 - Memphis Grizzlies 30:19 - Miami Heat 32:03 - Milwaukee Bucks 33:57 - Minnesota Timberwolves 35:55 - New Orleans Pelicans 37:38 - New York Knicks 38:51 - Oklahoma City Thunder 40:00 - Orlando Magic 41:38 - Philadelphia 76ers 42:42 - Phoenix Suns 44:42 - Portland Trail Blazers 47:03 - Sacramento Kings 49:11 - San Antonio Spurs 49:54 - Toronto Raptors 51:06 - Utah Jazz 52:50 - Washington Wizards JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI F

Dan and Grant break down every angle of the Kyrie Irving trade. Did the Dallas Mavericks make a mistake? What's next for Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets? How will this deal impact the rest of the trade market? Is LeBron James going to be mad? (PROGRAMMING NOTE: Dan goes solo for about the first 26 minutes, and then the ever fantabulous Mr. Hughes hops on.) JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

IT’S 2023 NBA TRADE DEADLINE PRIMER SEASON, ROUND 6. In the sixth and final podcast of this series, Dan and Grant cover the ins and outs of every team in the Southeast Division: Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards. From salary-cap minutiae to pressing needs to HYPOTHETICAL TRADES GALORE, you don’t want to miss this. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:58 - INTRO 3:22 - Miami Heat 9:19 - Atlanta Hawks 16:46 - Orlando Magic 22:51 - Charlotte Hornets 31:44 - Washington Wizards JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisemen

IT’S 2023 NBA TRADE DEADLINE PRIMER SEASON, ROUND 5. In the fifth of six podcasts, Dan and Grant cover the ins and outs of every team in the Central Division: Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons. From salary-cap minutiae to pressing needs to HYPOTHETICAL TRADES GALORE, you don’t want to miss this. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:58 - INTRO 4:37 - Milwaukee Bucks 12:50 - Cleveland Cavaliers 19:40 - Indiana Pacers 28:30 - Chicago Bulls 37:51 - Detroit Pistons JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

IT’S 2023 NBA TRADE DEADLINE PRIMER SEASON, ROUND 4. In the fourth of six podcasts, Dan and Grant cover the ins and outs of every team in the Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors. From salary-cap minutiae to pressing needs to HYPOTHETICAL TRADES GALORE, you don’t want to miss this. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:58 - INTRO 5:51 - Boston Celtics 15:16 - Philadelphia 76ers 24:14 - Brooklyn Nets 33:13 - New York Knicks 47:35 - Toronto Raptors JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement