Back To Back

Jimmy Butler’s purple hair didn’t distract the Heat as they won their fourth straight. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita are joined by Wes Goldberg to talk about Miami’s recent success, Jimmy Butler’s hair, and the current trade situation. Then, the Athletic’s Sam Amick joins the show to talk about the Thunder and their front office, the Rockets and Ime Udoka, and the latest in the trade market. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita, Wes Goldberg, Sam Amick Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NBA Cup semifinals are set. The Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets will join the Thunder and Bucks in Las Vegas. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni are joined by the Athletic’s James Edwards III and Marcus Thompson II to recap the Hawks and Rockets victories, what plagued the Knicks and Warriors, and where these teams are going from here. Then, Es and Dave issue a few early season retractions in the mailbag segment. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni, James Edwards, Marcus Thompson Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. The Milwaukee Bucks knock out the Orlando Magic thanks to 37 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita are joined by the Athletic’s Eric Nehm and Andrew Schlecht to breakdown the Bucks and Thunder victories and their paths to success in Las Vegas. Then, Zena and Dave take a look at some of the teams that were not included in the Athletic’s front office rankings and discuss the Jimmy Butler trade situation. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita, Andrew Schlecht, Eric Nehm Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With eight teams remaining, as the NBA Cup enters the knockout stages, Stephen Curry and the Warriors look to book their ticket to Las Vegas. Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, and Anthony Slater take a look at the Western conference and discuss who guards Shai and Luka, whether the Warriors care, and why the Cup means more to the Rockets. Then, Es and Dave look at the Bucks chances of NBA Cup redemption and Trae Young’s heel work in Madison Square Garden. In the mailbag, the gang take a look at injuries, the Nets roster decisions, and which version of this year’s Warriors team is the real one. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni, Anthony Slater Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nikola Jokić followed up his 56 point performance in a loss to the Washington Wizards with 48 points in a win over the Atlanta Hawks. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Es Baraheni catch up on Nikola Jokić and his 104-point weekend, look into the Bucks recent success, and discuss the Grizzlies status as contenders. Finally, Es, Zena, and Dave look ahead to the NBA Cup semifinal matchups. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni & Zena Keita Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saturday Slam N Jam Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers hand out their quarterly Slammie Awards including: League Pass Team of the 1st Quarter, Say What? Stat of the 1st Quarter, They did what now? Award, "Now THIS is gonna be fun" award, and many more. Then in Part 2 John Hollinger of the Athletic joins the show to discuss some of his observations a quarter way through the season and discuss his new book the Basketball 100. Then the guys play a fun edition of Andrew vs. The Beat. Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers With: John Hollinger Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Jake Kleinberg Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nikola Jokić passed Magic Johnson on the NBA’s all time triple doubles list, but it wasn’t enough as the Nuggets were handily beaten by the league best Cleveland Cavaliers. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discuss Jokić night and season thus far, revisit the “Jamal Murray or Donovan Mitchell” debate, and Ja Morant’s ejection against the Kings. Then, Ben Taylor, from “Thinking Basketball”, joins the show to talk about the contenders that pass his sniff test. Finally, Es and Dave take a look at some eye opening numbers. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach J.J. Redick said he was “embarrassed” following a 41 point loss to the Miami Heat. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni are joined by the Athletic’s Jovan Buha to discuss the aftermath of the loss, the recent play of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and where the Lakers go from here. Then, Caitlin Cooper, from “Basketball, She Wrote”, joins the show to talk about the Pacers recent struggles and what is bothering Tyrese Haliburton. Finally, Es and Dave check in on presumptive number one overall draft pick Cooper Flagg and share some funny quotes from the night in basketball. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni, Jovan Buha, Caitlin Cooper Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nikola Jokić was a game high +23 as the Denver Nuggets beat the Golden State Warriors on the final night of NBA Cup group play. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita breakdown Jokić’s night, Giannis and the Bucks recent surge, and take a look at the NBA Cup Knockout stage matchups. Then, the Athletic’s Marcus Thompson, joins the show to talk about the Warriors recent slide and their need for a number two option. In the listener question segment, Zena and Dave give their thoughts on the conference finals frontrunners so far. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita, Marcus Thomas Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Timberwolves crush LeBron James and the Lakers on their Monday night contest and Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni break down what went wrong for the Lakers, and if things are turning around for the Timberwolves. In part 2 Dave and Es are joined by Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal Constitution to discuss the Atlanta Hawks, what their ceiling is this season, and how the vibes are different for the Hawks this year. In the final segment the breakfast club answers a listener question about when the last time a complimentary player made a leap to All Star status. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni, Lauren Williams Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donovan Mitchell leads the Cavs past the Celtics and Fred VanVleet leads the Rockets past the Thunder in a wild Sunday night of NBA basketball. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita and Es Baraheni are your guides for all the NBA action from the weekend, including these 2 games. The breakfast club then discuss the best players from the weekend and form their All Weekend Teams. Finally the crew discuss their picks for the week and give an update on the NBA Cup. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Edwards and the Wolves lose to the sputtering Kings and are searching for an identity, and Dave DuFour and Andrew Schlecht discuss the problems that plague them. The Rockets continue to win on the back of Sengun in overtime, plus who is Tyrese Martin and how many points did he score against the Suns? James Edwards III joins the breakfast club to discuss the Knicks loss to the Mavs, what’s wrong with Mikal Bridges, and why did the Pistons give away Quinten Grimes? To end the show the guys answer a listener question about the NBA draft and what NBA teams are looking for. Host: Dave DuFour With: Andrew Schlecht, James Edwards Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal return from injury to blowout the Los Angeles Lakers in NBA Cup group play. The Milwaukee Bucks continue their steady stretch, in spite of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence, with a win over the Miami Heat. The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski joins Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to the Timberwolves loss to the Houston Rockets and the bad vibes in Minnesota. Then, the gang discusses a potential pivot for the Pelicans and action movies. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita, Jon Krawczynski Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristaps Porzingis made his season debut for the Boston Celtics last night in their blowout victory over Los Angeles Clippers. The Athletic’s Law Murray joins Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni to react to the Porzingis’ debut and discuss what went wrong for the Clippers. Also, Es and Dave discuss Kevin Durant’s impending return for the Suns, Ja Morant’s first game back for the Grizzlies, and the Nuggets' embarrassing effort against the offensive powerhouse Knicks. Then, the gang gives their takes on small guards thriving and the next former player who will make the coaching leap. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni, Law Murray Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giannis Antetokounmpo headlines our “All Weekend Team” that Dave DuFour, Zena Keita and Es Baraheni outline as the first block of the show. In part 2, the breakfast club hits the news discussing Zion and Embiid not returning, Fred Van Vleet’s tirade, and more. Then the crew wraps up the show telling you which NBA Cup games matter the most this week, as they make their weekly picks. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slam N Jam Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the headlines of the NBA, Rookie of the Year odds, and who the true contenders are in the NBA. Then Trill Bro Dude of the You Know Ball Podcast joins the show to have a lengthy discussion on the horrific start to the season, Joel Embiid's future, PG's podcasts and more. Then the guys draft the players that if removed from their team, instantly make them unwatchable. And finally... Andrew and Trill face off in a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat. Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers With: Trill Bro Dude Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Los Angeles Lakers winning streak stops at six games with a loss to the Orlando Magic. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to the Timberwolves loss to the Raptors and the potential changes to the All Star game format. Then, the Athletic’s Jovan Buha joins the show to discuss the Lakers late game troubles, LeBron James’ shooting, and the emergence of rookie Dalton Knecht. In the mailbag segment, Zena and Dave discuss the future of the San Antonio Spurs and their favorite Thanksgiving side-dish. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Philadelphia 76ers season could not be off to a worse start. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the Sixers loss to the Grizzlies and the return of Isaiah Hartenstein for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then, The Athletic’s Sam Amick joins the show with more from behind the scenes in Philadelphia and the Brooklyn Nets trade buzz. In the mailbag segment, Es and Dave discuss possible Jakob Poeltl trades and their favorite chocolate bars. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni, Sam Amick Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to the NBA Cup group play games so far. Then, The Athletic’s Jared Weiss joins the show to discuss Boston’s victory over the previously undefeated Cavaliers and the locker room intrigue in Philadelphia. In the mailbag segment, Zena and Dave take a look at a trade that would shake up the entire NBA and decide which day of the week needs to be eliminated. Host: Dave DuFour With: Zena Keita Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni sound the panic alarm over Joel Embiid and the Sixers and discuss the controversial game-ending steal in Sacramento. Then, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko joins the show after the Rocket's loss in Milwaukee. Finally, the guys look at some disturbing numbers for Tyrese Haliburton. Host: Dave DuFour With: Es Baraheni Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio Producer: Grayson Moody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices