Hardwood Knocks

Josh Primo, the youngest player in the 2021 draft, was initially projected to go in the second round. He ended up with the San Antonio Spurs at No. 12. How did that happen? Dan spoke Todd Ramasar (@tramasar), agent to Primo and Pascal Siakam, as well as the founder and president of Life Sports Agency, about what went into Josh's rise and how impactful the pre-draft process is in general. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

test dive into listener questions includes a look at Stephen Curry's Year 3 in the NBA vs. Trae Young's Year 3 in the NBA; the highest usage rate of all time among LeBron James' teammates; how much the Charlotte Hornets improved; the Toronto Raptors' approach to building a team; breakout candidates for the Orlando Magic; the developmental arc of RJ Barrett; ideal acquisitions the Dallas Mavericks could still target; and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

You may have heard that The Ringer's Mirin Fader (@MirinFader) has a book coming out on August 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP. Well, she joined Hardwood Knocks to talk anything and everything about the book, from the writing process during a pandemic to what she sees driving Giannis forward in the wake of the Milwaukee Bucks' NBA title. Along the way, she reveals the ultimate sports-related reading list, her thoughts on Simone Biles, and so much more that's sure to capture your attention and interest. Purchase Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP here. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

Good lord. The first couple days of NBA free agency were a whirlwind. And while there's still plenty of offseason left to unfold, Hardwood Knocks tapped Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to dole out early impressions of what's taken place so far. Along with Dan, he covers the moves made by the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and muuuuch more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Hardwood Knocks analyzes the free-agency and trade markets for all 15 NBA teams in the Eastern Conference, a journey that covers proposed targets and hypothetical trades galore. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

NBA Offseason mode is fully engaged, and so are we. Adam and Dan analyze the ins and outs of the trade between the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies, covering everything from the cap mechanisms to how it impacts Lonzo Ball, Kyle Lowry, Ja Morant and much more. After that, we give our top trade and free-agency targets for all 15 Western Conference teams. Let's ride! TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

NBA DRAFT SZN LET'S F'N GO! Hardwood Knocks brings back the best in the biz, Adam Spinella (@Spinella14) of The Box and One (@theboxandone_) to discuss everything about the 2021 NBA draft. We cover how to go about building a big board, draft philosophy, Coach Spins' top-10 big board, the most underrated prospects, Jalen Suggs, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Jared Butler, Sharife Cooper, Trey Murphy III, Davion Mitchell, Usman Garuba, Scottie Barnes, some of YOUR questions and muuuuch more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Hardwood Knocks brings in SB Nation's Sabreena Merchant (@sabreenajm) to discuss all things Lakers and Clippers—trades, free agency, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, Reggie Jackson, coaching, everything. But first: We pour one out for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks!

MAIL TIME. Hardwood Knocks' latest listener-steered trip around the NBA covers the NBA Finals, Phoenix Suns' three-game losing streak, Milwaukee Bucks' uptick in play, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul, the Denver Nuggets, Damian Lillard and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Adam and Dan discuss the process behind how they come up with fake NBA trades, and how they prepare for the negative backlash of them. This was a fun, fantastic conversation, and we strongly recommend listening to it in its entirety. After that, though, we talk about actual fake trades involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and much more. Finally, Dan discusses the impact of Kawhi Leonard's partially right torn ACL on his future, as well as the Clippers' outlook. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

MAIL TIME. Our latest jaunt through listener questions covers Jrue Holiday's playoff struggles, the Milwaukee Bucks' long-term roster needs, the NBA Finals, Deandre Ayton, a 2018 Re-Draft, the future of the Eastern Conference and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

Dan is joined by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to discuss their biggest takeaways for the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks two games into the 2021 NBA Finals—a conversation that includes a long-term view of the Bucks' roster, and whether Devin Booker is a top-10 NBA player. After that, Dan and Grant each give their three most interesting teams of the NBA offseason. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

Tara Bowen-Biggs (@tcbbiggs) from the We Have A Take podcast returns to Hardwood Knocks to discuss the Portland Trail Blazers' complicated offseason and the terrible start to which it's off. First, Tara and Dan talk about the decision to hire Chauncey Billups, Neil Olshey's tactlessness, the tokenism of Becky Hammon, and the message this all sends to the fanbase. After that, they get into Damian Lillard's future and what a Dame trade could look like; Jusuf Nurkic's value; Norman Powell's free agency (and dogs!); C.J. McCollum trades; other potential Blazers trades; free-agency targets; Derrick Jones Jr.; Robert Covington; and sooooo much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

MAIL TIME AGAIN. Hardwood Knocks drops our second mailbag of the week to discuss the Hawks-Bucks series immediately following Game 5 and take a look at what Atlanta needs long term to solidify its place as a contender. After that, we get into Dejounte Murray's value, the Myles Turner vs. Domantas Sabonis debate, an Indiana Pacers trade idea, Memphis Grizzlies trade ideas, Julius Randle's leap, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's future, underrated free agents and much more. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

MAIL TIME. This week's listener-driven trip around the NBA includes the Phoenix Suns-Los Angeles Clippers series; a playoff-discourse rant; Damian Lillard's unhappiness; Chauncey Billups joining the Portland Trail Blazers; a look at the New York Knicks' expectations for next season; Russell Westbrook Trade destinations; Jarrett Allen's value to the Cleveland Cavaliers; scouting reports on Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley; Utah Jazz trade targets; a Sacramento Kings stat; and much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan begins the episode dealing with the fallout from the 2021 NBA draft lottery. Will the Toronto Raptors consider trading the No. 4 pick? Can the Golden State Warriors trade for a star using No. 7, No. 14 and James Wiseman? Will there be a lot of moves at the back of the lottery and on draft night? After that, Andrew Claudio (@AndreJClaudio_) and Jonathan Macri (@JCMacriNBA) from Knicks Film School join the pod to discuss—you guessed it—the New York Knicks' future. They tackle Julius Randle's value, RJ Barrett's ceiling, potential free-agency targets and just where the Knicks are generally headed from here. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

MAIL TIME. Hardwood Knocks' latest trip to ListenersAskQuestionsville covers the Utah Jazz's future, the Kemba Walker trade, the Boston Celtics' future, Marcus Smarts' contract extension, Denver Nuggets trade and free-agency targets, the Philadelphia76ers and Atlanta Hawks, the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers, injuries and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Hardwood Knocks tackles the fallout from the Philadelphia 76ers' epic collapse(s) against the Atlanta Hawks; asks whether a Ben Simmons trade is inevitable; discusses the injuries to Kawhi Leonard and Mike Conley; breaks down the impact of Chris Paul entering the NBA's health and safety protocols; addresses LeBron James' comments about this season and the seeming uptick in injuries; takes stock of the New Orleans Pelicans' decision to fire Stan Van Gundy; and breaks down the league's most attractive coaching openings following Scott Brooks' exit in Washington. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

MAIL TIME. Hardwood Knocks' latest bag was FULL of mail. We talked Nikola Jokic; Jokic vs. Joel Embiid; Milwaukee Bucks-Brooklyn Nets; the Phoenix Suns' success; the Utah Jazz's performance vs. the Los Angeles Clippers; possible Buddy Hield and Malcolm Brogdon trades; efficient rookies; Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves; an off-beat build-your-team exercise; and much, MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan talks with the GOAT, Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) from Indy Cornrows, about the Indiana Pacers' future. They discuss everything from Nate Bjorkgren's failures and the LIVE reaction to his firing, to the makeup of the roster and Caris LeVert's play post-trade from the Nets, to T.J. McConnell, Doug McDermott, T.J. Warren, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, potential trades and much, much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️