Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Podcast

On the eve of the NBA Finals, Dr. A and Matt Stroup discuss what to expect when Chris Paul, Devin Booker and the Suns meet Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday (maybe Giannis Antetokounmpo) and the Milwaukee Bucks. Plus, with the Hawks eliminated/headed to Cancun, we go player-by-player through the Atlanta rotation, breaking down our expectations for Trae Young, John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De'Andre Hunter, Clint Capela, and of course — Cam Reddish.

In the aftermath of the Bucks’ big Game 5 victory over the Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals, Ryan Knaus, Raphielle Johnson and world-ranked Golden Tee player Steve Alexander join Matt Stroup to highlight what went right for Milwaukee (a lot of Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis), and the issues that derailed Atlanta (too many turnovers, no rebounding, no Trae Young). Plus, with the Clippers season officially over, we debate our expectations for their key players in fantasy next season, including Paul George, Kawhi Leonard (if in L.A.), Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris.

After a wild night in Atlanta where the Hawks won without Trae Young, and the Bucks lost Giannis Antetokounmpo to a knee injury, Steve Alexander and Matt Stroup break down some of the key moments and performances from Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, including huge nights from Lou Williams and Bogdan Bogdanovic, and a big spark off the bench for Cam Reddish. We also look at what went wrong for the Bucks, with matching 6-for-17s from Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, and their blueprint for success if Giannis is indeed out. Plus, what to expect from the Western Conference Finals as Chris Paul, Devin Booker and the Suns try to close out Paul George, Reggie Jackson and the Clippers on Wednesday night in Phoenix.

After another eventful weekend in the NBA Conference Finals, Steve Alexander joins Matt Stroup to look at the latest from the Bucks-Hawks series in the East and the Clippers vs. the Suns in the West. We discuss how things turned late in Game 3 in favor of the Bucks, with Trae Young's bizarre ankle injury — stepping on a referee's foot — and Khris Middleton's 20-point 4th quarter en route to a 38-point masterpiece. Plus, the pivotal call that put John Collins into foul trouble, shooting struggles for Bogdan Bogdanovic, and brainstorming new (some would say obvious) options for defending Giannis Antetokounmpo. Meanwhile in the West, Chris Paul and the Suns took a 3-1 lead over Paul George and the Clippers, and we look at Phoenix's chance to reach its first NBA Finals since 1993.

Ryan Knaus (@ryanknaus), Steve Alexander (@doktora), Raphielle Johnson (@raphiellej) and Jared Johnson (@Jae_The_Truth) whether the Clippers can once again rally from an 0-2 hole and win a series after taking Game 3 vs the Suns, and preview what to expect in Hawks-Bucks Game 2. The guys wrap the show with who has raised their stock most (John Collins, Terrence Mann, Dillon Brooks), and seen their value take the biggest nosedive (Ben Simmons, Josh Richardson) during the playoffs.

The Suns took a 2-0 lead over the Clippers in the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday night, and Ryan Knaus, Steve Alexander and Matt Stroup sit down to discuss how Devin Booker, Cam Payne and Deandre Ayton got it done — once again without Chris Paul. Plus, what went wrong for Paul George, Reggie Jackson and the Clippers in the one-point loss, and some quick thoughts on the NBA Draft Lottery, with the Detroit Pistons landing the No. 1 overall pick (and presumably, Cade Cunningham). And, with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals approaching, we give one final look at how Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will match up with Trae Young and the Hawks.

After a stunning Sunday of NBA playoff hoops, Matt Stroup and Dr. A try to compose themselves long enough to react to Trae Young and the Hawks knocking out Joel Embiid and the Sixers in Game 7. We dissect what went right for Atlanta (including a massive performance from Kevin Huerter), and what went wrong for Philly, with Ben Simmons passing up a late open dunk attempt — a microcosm for his vanishing offense. Plus, what to expect when Trae and the Hawks meet Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, and how Devin Booker propelled the Suns to a 1-0 series lead over Paul George and the Clippers.

The NBC Sports EDGE hoops crew looks at the fallout from Thursday's trade sending Kemba Walker to Oklahoma City and Al Horford to Boston, and what it means for players ranging from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Robert Williams. Plus, a look at Paul George's heroics in the absence of Kawhi Leonard, an effective blueprint for Giannis Antetokounmpo against Kevin Durant and Nets, and what to expect from Trae Young and the Hawks as they meet Joel Embiid and the Sixers in Atlanta.

Chris Paul is reportedly out indefinitely, Kawhi Leonard has a knee injury and Kevin Durant made history in a big win over the Bucks on Tuesday night. Dr. A and Ryan Knaus join Matt Stroup to react to all the news, and to preview Game 5 of the Hawks and the Sixers (and Game 5 of the Clippers and the Jazz, minus Kawhi). We also give our takeaways from Tuesday's coaching news, with Scott Brooks reportedly out as Wizards coach, and Stan Van Gundy done in New Orleans — and what it might mean for Russell Westbrook and Zion Williamson.

After another eventful weekend in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Dr. A and Matt Stroup check in on all of the remaining teams, as well as the most recently eliminated, as Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are out after the MVP's questionable ejection on Sunday evening. We discuss what kind of ceiling we could see for Michael Porter Jr. in real life and in fantasy, and why we consider Jokic the no-doubt No. 1 overall pick in fantasy leagues next season. Plus, what's next for the Nets after Kyrie Irving's injury, and can Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers and Trae Young and the Hawks pull even against the Jazz and the Sixers on Monday night?

Raphielle Johnson and Steve Alexander join Matt Stroup for a series-by-series look at the latest from the NBA conference semifinals, where Donovan Mitchell (37 points, six 3s) and the Jazz defeated the Clippers again without Mike Conley on Thursday night. Can Kawhi Leonard and L.A. awaken again after a 2-0 deficit? Plus, the Nuggets try to fight back against the Suns after losing two to Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Phoenix, the Bucks get a huge Game 3 win over Brooklyn and the Hawks try to take control against the Sixers as the series shifts to Atlanta.

Dr. A and Jared Johnson join Matt Stroup for an up-close look at all four conference semifinals, including the latest from the Sixers and the Hawks after Philly took Game 2 behind 40 points (and almost no signs of knee trouble) from Joel Embiid, in a game where Trae Young had a rare off night. We also consider whether Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks can get back into it against Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the Nets, and how Phoenix could continue making life hard for MVP Nikola Jokic. Plus, Donovan Mitchell unleashes a tour de force performance in a Game 1 win over Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers to help offset the absence of Mike Conley.

With the first round of the NBA Playoffs now fully complete, Matt Stroup and Dr. A react to the Game 7 win for Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers over Luka Doncic and the Mavs, and discuss what to expect as L.A. takes on Utah in the Western Conference Semifinals. Plus, Trae Young and the Hawks pull off a stunning/stressful/sweaty win over Joel Embiid and the Sixers in Game 1 in Philly. We also look at how the Nets pulled off their Game 1 win over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks despite James Harden sustaining a hamstring injury in the opening minute.

With three out of four conference semifinal matchups set in the NBA Playoffs heading into the weekend, Ryan Knaus, Raphielle Johnson, Dr. A and Matt Stroup look at what to expect in the next round. We hit the much-anticipated matchup of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks against the Brooklyn Nets, and see Kevin Durant playing at near-peak levels at age 32. Plus, a closer look at the potential outcomes for Joel Embiid trying to play through a torn meniscus against Trae Young and the Hawks, and who could be the X-factor for each team in that intriguing Eastern Conference matchup. Meanwhile, can Nikola Jokic continue getting a big boost from Monte Morris, Austin Rivers and Aaron Gordon as the Nuggets face the Suns, and how will Chris Paul's troublesome shoulder hold up?

One day after a 55-point, 12-triple masterpiece from Damian Lillard (in a double-OT loss to Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets), Ryan Knaus and Dr. A join Matt Stroup to break down the latest from the 2021 NBA Playoffs. We look at how the injuries to Anthony Davis and Chris Paul are affecting the Lakers-Suns series, the outlook for Luka Doncic and the Mavs against Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers, and how things have gotten heated between Clint Capela and Julius Randle in the Knicks-Hawks series. Plus, a major change in Boston for Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens — and what it might mean for Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown moving forward.

After another big weekend of NBA playoff hoops, Dr. A joins Matt Stroup to look at where things stand with all of the first-round series. We discuss the reality for the Clippers and the Mavs after Kawhi Leonard and L.A. fought back to tie things up, and how the momentum suddenly flipped in the Lakers-Suns series, with Chris Paul's shoulder looking improved at the same time that Anthony Davis went down with a groin injury. Plus, the Blazers tied things up with the Nuggets in a game where Damian Lillard only made one field goal, and Trae Young and the Hawks took a 3-1 lead over Julius Randle and the Knicks — thanks in part to some key adjustments by head coach Nate McMillan.

Matt Stroup, Ryan Knaus, Raphielle Johnson and Steve Alexander break down some of the recent action from the NBA Playoffs, including Nikola Jokic (and Austin Rivers?) carrying the Nuggets to a 2-1 lead over the Blazers, and Anthony Davis going for 34 points (again) as the Lakers beat Chris Paul and the Suns, again. Plus, our perspective on perplexing coaching decisions for Nate McMillan and Tom Thibodeau in the Hawks-Knicks series, and Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers try to fight back against Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis and the Mavericks as the series heads to Dallas.

Midway through the first full week of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Ryan Knaus and Dr. A join Matt Stroup to break down some of the latest story lines and box scores, including how Luka Doncic and the Mavs built a 2-0 series lead over Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. Meanwhile, how concerned should the Suns should be over Chris Paul’s shoulder injury after a Game 2 loss to LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers? We also address dominant performances for the Nets (led by Kevin Durant) and Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks, plus what to expect from the extremely heated Hawks-Knicks series, and the outlook for the Jazz with Donovan Mitchell finally set to return (we think) from his ankle injury.

After a wild eight-game weekend to start the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Steve Alexander and Matt Stroup do an express breakdown of all the games, from Trae Young's heroics at Madison Square Garden to Luka Doncic beating the Clippers to James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant looking impressive in their playoff opener against Jayson Tatum and the Celtics. We also discuss whether Miami can bounce back after cold shooting from Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo against the Bucks, and what to expect as MVP candidate Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets meet Damian Lillard and the Blazers.

Ryan Knaus and Steve Alexander join Matt Stroup to look ahead to some of our favorite first-round matchups in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, including LeBron and the Lakers vs. Chris Paul and the Suns, Trae Young and the Hawks taking on Julius Randle and the Knicks, and a much-anticipated Heat-Bucks postseason rematch. We also look at another remarkable performance from Daniel Gafford as the Wizards knocked out the Pacers, and spin it forward for Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon after impressive but injury-plagued seasons for both.