Hardwood Knocks

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⬇️

Dan is joined by Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to drop their offseason grades for every team in the Western Conference. Buckle up, because we’re going off-road, through the weeds, over all sorts of other terrain, until we reach the Land of the Granular Takes and Scorching-Hot Feelz. If you haven't checked out the Eastern Conference report cards, you can do that here. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Our latest batch of listener questions covers Ben Simmons' potential fit on the Cavaliers, Jayson Tatum's MVP candidacy, the Utah Jazz's center rotation, the top remaining NBA free agents, some wild LeBron James stats, top under-25 talents and muuuuuch more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Dan is joined by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to drop their offseason grades for every team in the Eastern Conference. Buckle up, because we're going off-road, through the weeds, over all sorts of other terrain, until we reach the Land of the Granular Takes and Scorching-Hot Feelz. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️

Adam and Dan select one player from every Western Conference team they believe could have a breakout year in 2021-22. Be sure to check out our Eastern Conference edition of this exercise here. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

Adam and Dan dissect the latest Ben Simmons trade rumors AND rap about his best potential destinations. After that, they move on to their 2021-22 breakout candidate for every NBA team in the Eastern Conference. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

MAIL TIME. Hardwood Knocks is back with Part 2 of our mailbag with questions that cover RJ Barrett, the New York Knicks, potential surprises and disappointments for next season, the Houston Rockets, OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors and much more. If missed Part 1, check that out here.