Hardwood Knocks

Earlier this summer, Dan polled one expert who covers every NBA team about their biggest ‘What If?!?’ for the franchise. What follows is a mini-pod—a HIGHLY SNACKABLE audio version—of that mega project. Next up: The biggest ‘What If?!?’ moments for the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:21 - Golden State Warriors 5:52 - LA Clippers 6:53 - Los Angeles Lakers 11:40 - Phoenix Suns 14:07 - Sacramento Kings 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

Earlier this summer, Dan polled one expert who covers every NBA team about their biggest ‘What If?!?’ for the franchise. What follows is a mini-pod—a HIGHLY SNACKABLE audio version—of that mega project. Next up: The biggest ‘What If?!?’ moments for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:14 - Chicago Bulls 4:22 - Cleveland Cavaliers 6:04 - Detroit Pistons 10:57 - Indiana Pacers 13:21 - Milwaukee Bucks 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

Earlier this summer, Dan polled one expert who covers every NBA team about their biggest ‘What If?!?’ for the franchise. What follows is a mini-pod—a HIGHLY SNACKABLE audio version—of that mega project. Next up: The biggest ‘What If?!?’ moments for the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:46 - Denver Nuggets 3:37 - Minnesota Timberwolves 6:45 - Oklahoma City Thunder 10:47 - Minnesota Timberwolves 13:09 - 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, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Dan reacts to the NBA suspending Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver for one year, fining him $10 million and forcing him to complete a program about proper workplace decorum. After that, it's onto our snackable 'What If?!?' series. Earlier this summer, Dan polled one expert who covers every NBA team about their biggest 'What If?!?' for the franchise. What follows is a mini-pod—an audio version—of that mega project. First up: The biggest 'What If?!?' moments for the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - Intro 1:32 - Reacting to Robert Sarver's slap on the wrist. 16:47 - Boston Celtics 'What If?!?' 19:16 - Brooklyn Nets 'What If?!?' 21:28 - New York Knicks 'What If?!?' 24:37 - Philadelphia 76ers 'What If?!? 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: @ha

Dan is joined by none other than Adam Fromal (@fromal09) from NBA Math and Sportscasting to power rank every NBA starting backcourt ahead of the 2022-23 season. In Part 2, they'll begin with their 11TH ranked backcourt and work their way up to No. 1. Be sure to check out Part 1 HERE! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO/CRITERIA 3:07 - TIER 3 (Nos. 11-6) 20:01 - TIER 2 (Nos. 5-3) 30:52 - TIER 1 (Nos. 2-1) 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 is joined by none other than Adam Fromal (@fromal09) from NBA Math and Sportscasting to power rank every NBA starting backcourt ahead of the 2022-23 season. In Part 1 of 2, they'll begin with their 30th ranked backcourt and work their way up to No. 12. Be sure to check out Part 2, which will go live on Tuesday, September 13! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO/CRITERIA 4:38 - TIER 6 (Nos. 30-26) 19:05 - TIER 5 (No. 25-18) 40:46 - TIER 4 (Nos. 17-12) 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 is joined by Salman Ali (@salmanalinba) from Red Nation Hoops (@RedNationHoops) to break down the short- and long-term future of the Houston Rockets. Chief among the topics discussed: Jabari Smith Jr.'s trajectory, expectations for Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr.' value, Alperen Sengun's place in the NBA, the Rockets' ability to shock the rest of the league, Houston's 10-man rotation and MUCH more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - Intro 5:14: Offseason thoughts 6:13 - Alperen Sengun's development 11:38 - Expectations for Jabari Smith Jr. 22:38 - Year 2 Jalen Green 27:49 - Kevin Porter Jr.'s ideal role 35:01 - TyTy Washington expectations 37:38 - Impressions of Tari Eason so far 41:02 - The value of Josh Christopher 47:18 - Usman Garuba's development 50:58 - Building a 10-man rotation 55:34 - KJ Martin/Eric Gordon 1:01:08 - Who's out before the regular season?  1:03:14 - Roster concerns  1:08:59 - Best crunch-time lineup 1:11:57 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 1:15:23 - Over/under predictions 1:22:19 - Final thoughts/Ste

Dan is joined by Olivia Panchal (@olivianba), formerly of Daily Thunder, for an extensive discussion about the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Chet Holmgren injury, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, the future and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - Intro 2:39 - Chet Holmgren injury 4:55 - Impact of Chet's injury on timeline 6:11 - Outside perception of the Thunder's rebuild 10:16 - Does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have another leap in him? 18:00 - Josh Giddey's development 21:22 - Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams and Ousmane Dieng 24:04 - Alexsej Pokusevski's future 27:24 - The futures of Tre Mann, Aaron Wiggins and Vit Krejci 29:06 - Building a 10-man rotation for Oklahoma City 38:48 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 40:02 - Biggest roster needs 42:42 - Best crunch-time lineup 44:39 - Over/under predictions 47:46 - Final thoughts/Lu Dort 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: @froma

In the latest mailbag, Dan tackles questions that cover Ben Simmons' future with the Brooklyn Nets, Russell Westbrook trades, Chet Holmgren's injury, the value of Collin Sexton, Anthony Edwards' next step, RJ Barrett's trajectory and so much more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:07 - PODCAST SCHEDULING NOTES 4:11 - Chet Holmgren/Victor Wembanyama 7:04 - Best Russell Westbrook trades 17:04 - Evaluating youngsters with metrics 20:14 - Should any teams see if the Nets will trade Ben Simmons? 25:01 - How can the NBA better promote its international stars? 31:02 - Did the Timberwolves and Jazz change the NBA trade market forever? 37:19 - Is Anthony Edwards already All-NBA material? 40:52 - Most overrated players of the past 10 years (reaction) 43:37 - Is RJ Barrett overrated?  46:55 - Jae Crowder's trade value/Trade targets for the Suns 52:35 - Montrezl Harrell's fit on the Sixers 53:35 - What is De'Andre Hunter worth? Which teams might pay him if he reaches RFA in 2023? 55:49 - The importance of Isaac  developm

Dan is joined by Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) from Liberty Ballers and The NBA Podcast (@TheNBAPod) for a deeeep dive into the 2022-23 Philadelphia 76ers. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:46 - Offseason thoughts 7:12 - Is James Harden on the decline? 12:37 - Joel Embiid-James Harden partnership 14:28 - Two MVP candidates? 19:19 - Tyrese Maxey's development 28:50 - Paul Reed/Backup center rotation 33:10 - Matisse Thybulle 36:40 - Speed of the offense 38:44 - Biggest roster concerns 40:03 - Trade targets 44:42 - Player most likely to be traded 45:22 - 10 man rotation 47:17 - Player most likely to have a bigger role than expected 48:48 - Best crunch-time unit 51:01 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 53:33 - Over/Under and playoff predictions 59:53 - Final thoughts 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 TWI

Dan goes through the latest ESPN NBA survey and reacts to who execs, coaches and scouts chose for their offseason and 2022-23 campaign superlatives. Who will be the best NBA player in five years? Who had the best offseason? What about the worst? Let's hop to it! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:21 - Who's the best player in the NBA entering the 2022-23 season? 3:30 - Who will be the best player in the NBA five years from now? 5:52 - Who will be the 2022-23 MVP? 11:45 - Who will be the best rookie in five years? 13:44 - Which team will Kevin Durant be on the day after the trade deadline? 16:27 - Which team will Donovan Mitchell be on after the trade deadline? 18:51 - Which team had the best offseason? 22:18 - Which team had the worst offseason? 27:35 - What was the most surprising move of the offseason? 30:05 - Who wins the East, West and NBA Finals? 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 TWI

Dan and Grant offer their instant, in-depth reaction to the Cleveland Cavaliers completing a Donovan Mitchell trade with the Utah Jazz. 0:30 - INTRO/Trade Details 2:17 - Are the Cavaliers now title contenders? 17:48 - Direction of the Jazz 33:27 - Where do the New York Knicks go from here? 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

The Washington Wizards are reportedly in on the Donovan Mitchell trade sweepstakes. But do they actually have enough assets to pair Bradley Beal with another star? While they certainly can't outbid the New York Knicks for Mitchell, their top-shelf trade offer is better than you'd expect. 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

No one can beat the New York Knicks best and most realistic trade package for Donovan Mitchell. But the Toronto Raptors feel like they can come pretty close WITHOUT dealing Scottie Barnes. The question: Should the Raptors even consider engaging the Utah Jazz? Stick with Dan as he looks into whether Mitchell would be a good fit for Toronto. 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 reacts to RJ Barrett signing a four-year, $120 million extension with the New York Knicks. Is RJ worth this much? And does his extension actually cost the Knicks a Donovan Mitchell trade? LET'S FIND OUT. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:45 - Is RJ Barrett worth $120 million?!? 15:33 - Impact Barrett's extension has on Donovan Mitchell trade talks with the 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, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

MAIL TIME, AGAIN. This time, we're hitting questions about signature sneakers, the NBA's salary, battle royales, James Harden, regression candidates, make-or-break stars and MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:20 - Which NBA player has the worst sneaker design? And which players should get his own signature shoe? 4:51 - How can we learn more about the NBA salary cap? 10:36 - Building the All-NBA "Who Would Win in a Battle Royale" Starting Five 13:30 - Will James Harden hurt Joel Embiid's 2022-23 MVP chances? 21:26 - NBA teams poised to disappoint during the 2022-23 season 23:16 - Should the NBA adopt the WNBA's first-round playoff format? 25:32 - NBA players who will make or break their team's 2022-23 season 30:47 - SHOUT-OUT FRANK NTILIKINA 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: @SportsMath

MAIL TIME. Our latest trip down the Listener Asks, We Answer Lane has talking about the New Orleans Pelicans having a potentially Big Three, the most interesting storylines for next season, LeBron James and Bronny James and much more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 3:04 - Toughest playoff matchups for possible contenders in 2023 12:25 - Can Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum form a cohesive Big Three for the New Orleans Pelicans?  19:37 - Games we wish the NBA had for 2022-23 Rivalry Week 24:11 - Would an NBA team draft Bronny James just to get LeBron? 29:03 - The 10 Most Interesting Storylines To Follow During The 2022-23 NBA Season 43:20 - How many LeBron James clones would it take to win a bear fight? 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 y

Dan and Grant convene to deliver their 2022 NBA offseason grades for the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. Insufferable homers need not listen. Also: Please remember we’re grading every team relative to the tools that were at their disposal this summer. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 3:07 - CRITERIA 3:58 - Golden State Warriors 16:34 - LA Clippers 22:36 - Los Angeles Lakers 37:43 - Phoenix Suns 49:13 - Sacramento Kings 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

Kevin Durant is staying with the Brooklyn Nets...But is he really? Dan gets into the impact KD's about-face has on the Nets, Kyrie Irving and the rest of the NBA. He also discussed why, if we're being honest, this isn't really over. 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 convene to deliver their 2022 NBA offseason grades for the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors. Insufferable homers need not listen. Also: Please remember we’re grading every team relative to the tools that were at their disposal this summer. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:48 - CRITERIA 3:42 - Boston Celtics 13:23 - Brooklyn Nets 22:21 - New York Knicks 35:45 - Philadelphia 76ers 47:25 - 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