Hardwood Knocks

MAIL TIME! In Part One of our TWO-PART SUPER-DUPER-MEGA MAILBAG, your questions have us covering Karl-Anthony Towns' future with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Atlanta Hawks' recent struggles, trade targets for the Charlotte Hornets' center rotation, impressions of the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers' offense, Ben Simmons news, Will Barton's leap, the Denver Nuggets' title stock and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Adam and Dan build their NBA awards ladders now that every team has played around 10 games for the season. Please note these are not meant to be predictions, but more of a snapshot of where the awards races stands if the 2021-22 campaign ended today. We have top five candidates for the MVP race, plus a top-three ladder for Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Executive of the Year and Coach of the Year. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Hardwood Knocks reacts to the explosive report from ESPN that alleges Phoenix Suns managing partner Robert Sarver has created a racist and misogynistic work environment over the course of his 17-year tenure. After that, Dan relays one stat—but really more—for every NBA team he finds interesting or will be watching for the rest of the season. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:15 - Intro 2:52 - Robert Sarver allegations 14:03 - Atlanta Hawks 15:15 - Boston Celtics 16:58 - Brooklyn Nets 19:10 - Charlotte Hornets 22:19 - Chicago Bulls 24:30 - Cleveland Cavaliers 26:30 - Dallas Mavericks 28:05 - Denver Nuggets 29:46 - Detroit Pistons 31:55 - Golden State Warriors 33:48 - Houston Rockets 35:22 - Indiana Pacers 37:07 - LA Clippers 39:12 - Los Angeles Lakers 42:07 - Memphis Grizzlies 44:15 - Miami Heat 47:37 - Minnesota Timberwolves 49:05 - Milwaukee Bucks 50:09 - New Orleans Pelicans 52:16 - New York Knicks 55:04 - Oklahoma City Thunder 56:33 - Orlando Magic 58:01 - Philadelphia 76ers 59:41 - Phoenix Suns 1:01:30 - Portland Trail Blaz

MAIL TIME! This week's dive into listener questions will cover the New York Knicks' hot start (loss to the Toronto Raptors not withstanding), Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., the Denver Nuggets' depth, the NBA's worst benches, Miles Bridges, Dalano Banton, RJ Barrett, the Most Improved Player, Dejounte Murray and muuuuch more! TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

It's time for our second annual NBA 'Truth or Trash?!?' Sure, it's basically rebranded 'Fact or Fiction," but who cares? Dan is joined by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to discuss a bunch of surprising early-season trends and whether they should be viewed as new normals (truth!) or fleeting blips on the radar (trash!). Their discussion covers the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, James Harden, Charlotte Hornets and Miles Bridges, Memphis Grizzlies, Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers and muuuuuch more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

MAIL TIME IS BACK! In our first mailbag of the 2021-22 NBA season, Hardwood Knocks covers the Ben Simmons saga FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE, talks about Tyler Herro's development, the Chicago Bulls' hot start, Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, mid-range jumpers and muuuuuch more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Adam is back, which means the band is back, which means he and Dan have over/under win predictions for every NBA team ahead of the 2021-22 season. Buckle up for safety. The takes are about to fly. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Allana Tachauer (@AllanaTachauer) of the Feel The Heat podcast over at 5 Reasons Sports to discuss all things Miami Heat ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their discussion covers Kyle Lowry's arrival and impact, the next step for Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler's jumper, Tyler Herro's development, Victor Oladipo's timeline for return and potential value, the bench rotation, lineup possibilities, the defense, the floor spacing and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) from the Cash Considerations podcast for a mega-ultra-super-deep dive into the Chicago Bulls ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation covers a reaction to the Bulls' offseason, Zach LaVine's superstardom, the fit between he, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball's impact on offense, the importance of Alex Caruso and Patrick Williams, the defense, the backup wing and big rotations, lineup possibilities, Javonte Green's play and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) from The NBA Front Office Show and Spotrac for a deeeeeep dive into the Orlando Magic ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation covers the Wendell Carter Jr. extension, rookie-year expectations for Jalen Suggs, trade candidates, the health of Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz, the 10-man rotation, Mo Bamba, lineup possibilities, RJ Hampton's ceiling, win-total predictions and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Sharon Brown (@SharonShyBrown) of the Memphis Flyer for a fantastic and in-depth discussion about the Memphis Grizzlies ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation covers Ja Morant's development, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s future, Ziaire Williams' role as a rookie, the center rotation after trading Jonas Valanciunas for Steven Adams, Kyle Anderson's value, Desmond Bane's breakout potential, lineup possibilities and a lot more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) from the In The N.O. podcast for an honest and thorough talk about the New Orleans Pelicans' present and future ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss New Orleans' somewhat controversial offseason, Zion Williamson's health, development and happiness, how the team will build out the rotation, Nickeil Alexander-Walker's ceiling, Trey Murphy III's fit, the defense, lineup possibilities and much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Derek James (@DerekJamesNBA), one of the smartest Minnesota Timberwolves insiders/analysts/writers around, to talk about—you guessed it!—the Minnesota Timberwolves in advance of the 2021-22 NBA season. They discuss the Wolves' interest in Ben Simmons, Year 2 expectations for Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns' place in the superstar hierarchy, D'Angelo Russell's value and role, lineup possibilities, Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels' season, the 10-man rotation, Chris Finch's impact, Patrick Beverley and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Greg Wissinger (@gwiss) from The Kings Herald for a deeeeeep dive into the Sacramento Kings ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation covers De'Aaron Fox's continued growth, Tyrese Haliburton's path to stardom, Davion Mitchell's fit, three-guard lineups, four-guard lineups, the wing rotation, Richaun Holmes, Buddy Hield, trade candidates and, yes, Ben Simmons—plus much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares) from DNVR and the Locked On Nuggets podcast for an in-depth chat about the Denver Nuggets ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation covers Nikola Jokic's MVP defense, Jamal Murray's rehab, Michael Porter Jr.'s next step, rookie-year expectations for Bones Hyland, the importance of P.J. Dozier, the value of Aaron Gordon, the secondary frontcourt rotation, lineup possibilities, win-total predictions and so much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Sam Cooper (@scooperhoops) and Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) from The Timeline Podcast for a mega-ultra-super-deep dive into the Phoenix Suns ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Their conversation spans Devin Booker's next step, the fit of JaVale McGee and Landry Shamet, Mikal Bridges' heightened offensive role, Cam Johnson's development, Deandre Ayton's future, Chris Paul, lineup possibilities, win-loss projections and muuuuuuch more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Tony Jones (@TjonesontheNBA) for a deeeeep dive into the Utah Jazz ahead of 2021-22 NBA season. They talk urgency within the franchise, Rudy Gobert's value, Donovan Mitchell's next step, the wing defense, the rotation, Jared Butler, regression candidates and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

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⬇️