Hardwood Knocks

Dan is joined by Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) from The NBA Podcast and Forbes to discuss all things Philadelphia 76ers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They tackle the Ben Simmons situation and potential trade destinations, Tyrese Maxey's development, Ben Simmons, the importance of Seth Curry and Tobias Harris, Ben Simmons, Philly's defense without Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, lineup possibilities, Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond, win-total predictions, Ben Simmons and then, um, yeah, Ben Simmons! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:15 - Intro 2:35 - The Ben Simmons situation from ALL angles 27:49 - Joel Embiid's workload/Philly's play style 31:59 - Matisse Thybulle's role/The defense without Simmons 37:43 - Tyrese Maxey's development/role 39:40 - Tobias Harris' role 41:44 - Andre Drummond/Georges Niang 44:18 - Getting weird with the backup 5 rotation 45:59 - Furkan Korkmaz 47:46 - Jaden Springer 49:38 - Isaiah Joe/Paul Reed 51:40 - Seth Curry's role 55:17 - Trade candidates (non-Simmons division) 58:44 - Best crunch-time line

Dan is joined by Jabari Ali Davis (@JabariDavisNBA) from the Never Meet Your Heroes and The Baseline podcasts for a deeeeep dive into the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss the LeBron James-Russell Westbrook fit, Anthony Davis-at-the-5, the potential for a defensive drop-off, rounding out the rest of the rotation, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, floor spacing, lineup possibilities and much, much, MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) from the New York Daily News and Uninterrupted's Certified Buckets show for a deeeeep dive into the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their discussion covers the Kyrie Irving situation, how his absence would impact the team, the workload of James Harden and Kevin Durant, the center rotation, a dearth of wings, the team's defense, the backup point guard carousel, lineup predictions and much, much, MUCH more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Justin Rowan (@Cavsanada) from The Chase Down podcast to cannonball, nosedive and belly flop into all things Cleveland Cavaliers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss Darius Garland's next frontier, the additions Ricky Rubio and Lauri Markkanen, the frontcourt pairing of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Collin Sexton's future, Isaac Okoro's development, the Kevin Love awkwardness, final roster spots, Ben Simmons and muuuuuch more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Paul Garcia (@PaulGarciaNBA) from Project Spurs to discuss all things San Antonio Spurs ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They cover San Antonio's overall direction, Dejounte Murray's development, the playmaking rotation, Josh Primo, Keldon Johnson's potential for improvement, Lonnie Walker IV's future, Devin Vassell's role, Thaddeus Young's value, lineup possibilities, the Ben Simmons trade rumors and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Quinton Mayo (@RealQuintonMayo) of BetMGM, Audacy and Blue Wire Pods for a deeeeeep dive into the Washington Wizards ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They talk Bradley Beal's future, Daniel Gafford's development, Rui Hachimura's absence from training camp and prospective role, the Russell Westbrook trade, Spencer Dinwiddie's fit, the importance of Deni Avdija, the frontcourt rotation, trade candidates and so much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Tara Bowen-Biggs (@tcbbiggs) from the We Have A Take podcast for a deeeeeep dive into the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. We discuss Damian Lillard's future, CJ McCollum's value, Jusuf Nurkic's areas of improvement, Larry Nance Jr.'s fit, the development of Nassir Little and Anfernee Simons, which new additions will have the biggest impact, defensive concerns, trade candidates, potential lineups and so much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) from SB Nation's Detroit Bad Boys and Blue Wire's Pistons vs. Everybody podcast for a wildly, and enjoyably, thorough deep dive into the Detroit Pistons in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Jerami Grant, Kelly Olynyk, the secondary rotation, Saben Lee, the Sekou Doumboya trade, Detroit's overall direction, win-loss predictions, lineups and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Sabreena Merchant (@sabreenajm) from SB Nation and The Step Through podcast for a mega-ultra-super deep dive into the LA Clippers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They talk Kawhi Leonard's future and health, Paul George's MVP viability, Eric Bledsoe's fit, the center rotation, potential lineups, Luke Kennard's role, the flier on Justise Winslow, Ivica Zubac's defense, playing small and much, much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Yasmin Duale (@carmelodrama) from the Dishes & Dimes podcast to cannonball into all things Toronto Raptors in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. They talk Pascal Siakam's health and role, Fred VanVleet's room for improvement, OG Anunoby emerging as a star, the center rotation, Goran Dragic's fit, fringe roster spots, Malachi Flynn's development, Scottie Barnes' rookie expectations, lineups and muuuuuch more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Dalton Trigg (@Dalton_Trigg) of the Mavs Step Back podcast to break down all things Dallas Mavericks in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss Luka Doncic's next step, Kristaps Porzingis' role, the frontcourt rotation, Jalen Brunson, offseason additions like Reggie Bullock and Sterling Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr.'s importance, lineups to look out for, trade candidates, trade targets and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Alex Kungu (@Kungu_NBA) from Hoops Island for a deeeeeep dive into the Boston Celtics ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. We're talking Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Dennis Schroder, Al Horford, Robert Williams III, Josh Richardson, Aaron Nesmith, Payton Pritchard, potential lineups, trade candidates and soooooo much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Olivia Panchal (@olivianba) from Daily Thunder's Crossbolts podcast to break down the long-term trajectory and current expectations for the Oklahoma City Thunder in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. We talk Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, tanking, trade candidates and much, much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) from the Gyro Step Podcast to discuss the immediate and long-term outlook of the REIGNING CHAMPION Milwaukee Bucks in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. From Giannis Antetokounmpo's next step and Mike Budenholzer's improvement, to the importance of Bobby Portis and Donte DiVincenzo, to prospective weaknesses and trade candidates, we cover it all! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Konata Edwards (@NataTheScribe) from the Locked On Hornets podcast to discuss the ins, outs and diagonals of—you guessed it!—the Charlotte Hornets ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. We cover LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier's extension and his on-court value, potential trade targets, James Bouknight's development, the center rotation, Miles Bridges' future, P.J. Washington's defense and so much friggin' more! TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

Dan is joined by the world-famous Caitlin Cooper (C2_Cooper) from Indy Corn Rows and FiveThirtyEight to cannonball into all things Indiana Pacers ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. From Rick Carlisle's impact on the offense and the frontcourt rotation, to Caris LeVert and T.J. Warren, to quirky lineups and potential trade candidates, we cover everything you can imagine—and then some. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

Dan speaks with Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about everything and anything Atlanta Hawks in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. From Trae Young and John Collins, to De'Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish, to potential trades and Jalen Johnson-at-the-5, we cover it all. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

Dan is joined by Sam Esfandiari (@samesfandiari) of the Light Years Podcast to for an in-depth chat about the Golden State Warriors heading into the 2021-22 NBA season—and beyond. They cover everything from Ben Simmons trade rumors and Stephen Curry's performance, to the availability of Klay Thompson and James Wiseman, to the frontcourt rotation, Draymond Green-at-the-5 and season predictions. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) from the Red Nation Hoops podcast to talk about all things Houston Rockets heading into the 2021-22 NBA season. From John Wall and Ben Simmons trades, to Christian Wood and Jalen Green, to Jae'Sean Tate and Usman Garuba, we cover it all. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Andrew Claudio (@AndrewJClaudio_), the producer of Knicks Film School (@KnicksFilmSkool) and co-host of Final Review (@FinalReviewPod), for a long chat about movies and, of course, the 2021-22 New York Knicks. First, they discuss the premise and movies that will be covered by Final Review, a must-listen for all actual and wannabe cinephiles. Then, they dig into the immediate and long-term future of the Knicks, covering everything from Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and possible trade targets, to Kemba Walker, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin and player development. TIMESTAMPS⬇️