Backdoor Cut

The playoffs are underway and Jake, Josh & Batey have absolutely no idea how it's all going to end. The 76ers and Bucks both look stronger than ever in an Eastern Conference that is overshadowed by Brooklyn's All-Stars. While in the West, everybody has a chance with squads (almost) evenly stacked from seed 1 to 8. Can Phoenix beat the Lakers? Will there be an upset in the East? Can the Knicks do us proud!?!

The Phoenix Suns have evolved into the best team in the NBA, meanwhile last season's best team are welcoming their two best players back, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This week Jake, Josh & Batey chat what that means in the looming playoff picture, before mock drafting the worst franchises in the league based on each of their prospects of a quick turnaround into contention.

ESPN's Top 25 NBA Players Under 25 list is out, and to put it bluntly, there's some controversy. Under 25's are a staple here at Backdoor Cut, so it's only fitting this week that your hosts, Jake, Josh & Batey tear this thing down to the ground and build it back up again.

The MVP race is heating up and yet Rudy Gobert, despite his personal and team dominance, is nowhere to be seen. Joel Embiid meanwhile, has returned the court and his case is looking as strong as ever. Your faithful hosts Jake, Josh and Batey examine all sides of this, before asking whether the Orlando Magic low-key won some of their deadline trades.

With the dust now settled on a slew of player moves, Chicago reach for a new standard in acquiring Vucevic, Aaron Gordon offers Denver everything they lack and the Rockets lose big time on this whole Harden debacle. Breaking down the winners, losers and everything in between on another action packed trade deadline.

Recently we've seen some terrible injuries, and we've seen some hugely impactful new signings. The league has been altered and so this week, Jake, Josh and Batey breakdown just what that might mean.

In a week where two Jazz players were picked last in the respective Team LeBron vs. Team Durant draft squads, only for a third to be selected as a last minute injury replacement (big shoutout Mike Conley), Utah fans are feeling the disrespect. Discussing all this, before comparing what each All-Star team has to offer, and where Blake Griffin will next call home.

Baby, we did it! 100 episodes of Backdoor Cut and it feels oh so good. Commemorating the occasion, your faithful hosts, Jake, Josh & Batey run through some of the show's worst ever takes, unleash upon the Celtics franchise (much to Jake's extreme displeasure) and toss around the idea of Kyle Lowry's Raptors future. Truly though, thank you for enjoying the show so far. We can only hope it's been even a fraction as fun for you as it has been for us to bring it to you.

The Eastern and Western Conference All-Star starters have been announced with plenty of questions still to be answered as to who will attain the bench spots. Jake, Josh & Batey return this week to run through their picks, as well as discuss the continued improvement of Zach LaVine and what that's meaning for the Bulls.

The Western Conference playoff picture is growing more and more congested by the day. This week Jake, Josh & Batey sit down for a health check on some of the contenders and pretenders (looking at you, Dallas), before discussing the merit of an All Star game in a heavily COVID impacted league.

Hot off a 10 game winning streak, the Utah Jazz finally look complete. The Nets, now with the whole crew together, are by no means perfect, all the while Bradley Beal is in need of a new home more than Ben Simmons needs to fix his jump shot.

James Harden is a Brooklyn Net, joining forces with his former running mate, Kevin Durant and the ever elusive, Kyrie Irving. The Rockets on their part, landed Victor Oladipo and a myriad of future draft picks, while the Indiana Pacers and (!) Cleveland Cavaliers come out as big winners. Jake, Josh & Batey break down all of this and more, including asking the questions on if the Sixers missed out on a golden opportunity here.

It's our very own, Matt Batey's birthday and what better way to celebrate than to pick apart what's happening in the NBA? Discussing John Collins' alleged complaints of Trae Young's offence, the Sixers' inability to beat a depleted Nets side, Phoenix Suns' scorching run, and whether the Bulls are starting to show signs of life.

It feels like it's been months already, but one week down in the new NBA season, the takes are coming in thick, fast and hotter than ever. With so many unexpected twists and turns already, Jake, Josh & Batey whip out the real-o-meter to gauge whether these trends are here to stay.

The 2021 NBA season is now merely days away after what was very possibly the most chaotic offseason ever. Jake, Josh & Batey sit down to preview all the in's and out's to try and make some sense of it all, running through the strengths and weaknesses of each team's case at a potential Playoff spot.

It's been a hot second since the Lakers hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Now well rested, rejuvenated and fired up for a brand new season, Jake, Josh & Batey return to catch up on all the happenings in the draft and free agency, before previewing what promises to be one of the weirdest seasons any of us will ever see.

Los Angeles Lakers 17th championship (12th?) and first in 10 years? Check. LeBrons legacy defining 4th ring on his 3rd franchise? Check. Anthony Davis rise into the all-time pantheon? Check. The NBA bubble is finally burst and the boys sit down to ruminate everything they just saw.

The Lakers have taken a commanding 3-1 lead and with the Heat battered and bruised, it's hard to see a way out. This week, the boys discuss if there's even a possibility here, what's next for the Lakers should they take Game 5, and if Jimmy Butler should be considered a top 10 NBA player.

Fresh from the elimination of the Celtics (unfortunately for Jake), the boys discuss the now official, and impending NBA Finals matchup between the Heat and Lakers, while also looking toward the gleaming futures of both Boston and the Nuggets.

After an enthralling Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals matchup between Boston and Miami (in which Tyler Herro EXPLODED), Jake, Josh & Batey caught up on the series so far, as well as how immensely impressive the Denver Nuggets have performed against the Lakers, giving themselves a real chance.