Hardwood Knocks

Dan and Grant unload all of their thoughts on the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks entering their win-or-go-home Game 5s. They also take a deep dive into everything the Lakers and Heat are doing well and how that could scale ahead to later rounds in the NBA playoffs. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:34 - Life on the brink 6:38 - Knicks vs. Heat 27:22 - Warriors vs. Lakers 43:45 - Lonnie Walker IV, Lakers adjustments JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

MAIL TIME. Dan discusses the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to "dismiss" Mike Budenholzer before diving into a mailbag the covers coaching in the NBA playoffs, Jayson Tatum's iso game, the future of the Indiana Pacers, Kyrie Irving sign-and-trade ideas, reclamation projects and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:08 - The Bucks fire Mike Budenholzer 16:50 - Best mini MLE signings of the past five years 20:02 - Reclamation projects worth trading for this summer  25:58 - Kevon Looney 28:02 - Kyrie Irving to the Minnesota Timberwolves??? 29:59 - Kyrie Irving to the Milwaukee Bucks??? 32:32 - Jayson Tatum's iso scoring 35:28 - The Portland Trail Blazers are on fire, but not in a good way 36:23 - Does the NBA regular season no longer matter? 41:43 - Rank the remaining head coaches in the NBA playoffs 43:42 - Trending strategies 46:06 - Indiana Pacers offseason outlook 50:23 - Salary cap changes we'd love to see JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON S

Dan and Grant dive into James Harden's pants and epic Game 1 performance against the Boston Celtics, the Phoenix Suns-Denver Nuggets series and the offseason outlooks for the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. NOTE: THIS WAS RECORDED BEFORE THE NEWS THAT CP3 WOULD BE RE-EVALUATED IN ONE WEEK. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - James Harden's pants 4:15 - Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers thoughts 14:22 - Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns thoughts 30:36 - Memphis Grizzlies  40:10 - Sacramento Kings JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Dan and Grant discuss the Memphis Grizzlies' decision to move on from Dillon Brooks before jumping into what to watch for throughout the Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers series. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 3:05 - Dillon Brooks 10:05 - Warriors vs. Lakers Primer JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Dan and Grant bounce around the 2023 NBA playoffs. They begin with discussing the futures of the Milwaukee Bucks and LA Clippers after their exits. Then, they preview the series between the Miami Heat and New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets and finally the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 2:26 - Kawhi Leonard 7:06 - Giannis Antetokounmpo 17:02 - Milwaukee Bucks offseason outlook 25:01 - LA Clippers Offseason outlook 37:29 - Cleveland Cavaliers  51:02 - New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat preview 1:11:11 - Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers preview 1:21:56 - Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns preview JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the

Dan is joined by Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) from Red Nation Hoops to discuss the Houston Rockets hiring Ime Udoka, reflections from the 2022-23 season, biggest roster needs, free-agency targets, the James Harden rumors, trade possibilities and much more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:26 - The Ime Udoka hire 3:33 - Ime Udoka's introductory presser 15:54 - What to expect from Ime Udoka's impact on the roster 17:35 - Thoughts on the core players 17:56 - Jalen Green 22:14 - Alperen Sengun 26:31 - Jabari Smith Jr.  33:22 - Tari Eason and Kevin Porter Jr. 36:41 - K.J. Martin 39:08 - Biggest roster needs 41:58 - How the 2023 NBA draft will inform the Rockets offseason 44:08 - The James Harden rumors 50:09 - How aggressive will the Rockets be this offseason independent of James Harden? 58:07 - Potential trade targets, Jaylen Brown, Mikal Bridges JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTE

MAIL TIME. This week's journey down You Asked, Dan Answered Lane covers the Milwaukee Bucks, Mike Budenholzer and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George trade destinations and the future of the LA Clippers, a Brooklyn Nets and Portland Trail Blazers hypothetical, random NBA beefs, a Herb Jones trade idea, the drawn-out genesis of Dan's NBA fandom and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 2:26 - Which 2022 free agents are having the largest impact in the 2023 NBA playoffs? 6:03 - Would the Oklahoma City Thunder trade all their future first-round picks for Victor Wembanyama 8:36 - Milwaukee Bucks/Portland Trail Blazers 9:10 - Should the Milwaukee Bucks Fire Mike Budenholzer? 13:52 - Is Giannis Antetokounmpo still the best player in the NBA? 17:12 - What's more likely: A Mikal Bridges trade to the Portland Trail Blazers, or a Damian Lillard trade to the Brooklyn Nets? 22:40 - Should the NBA get rid of conferences? 25:41 - Dan goes WAAAAY too long on his NBA fandom journey 41:53 - Paul George trade destinations/

Dan and Grant react to the Toronto Raptors firing Nick Nurse and then go through their EARLY 2023 NBA playoffs winners and losers so far. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:35 - INTRO  2:51 - Raccoons invaded Dan's life 13:07 - Toronto Raptors fire Nick Nurse 24:09 - Mike Brown/Sacramento Kings 28:15 - Minnesota Timberwolves 32:27 - Denver Nuggets defense/Jamal Murray 34:35 - Trae Young 46:32 - Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat 52:36 - Kevon Looney/Draymond Green 58:03 - LA Clippers/Kawhi Leonard 1:03:17 - WHAT ARE THE RULES?! 1:09:33 - Derrick White 1:11:48 - The Knicks offense/RJ Barrett 1:16:22 - Phoenix Suns, the Kevin Durant - Devin Booker pairing JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of

Dan is joined by Matt Modderno (@MattModderno) from the Bleav in Wizards podcast (@BleavinWizards) to discuss the future of the Washington Wizards following their decision fire general manager Tommy Sheppard. Full list of topics include: —Was Tommy Sheppard's dismissal a surprise? —Will the Wizards be open to rebuilding? —Evaluating Wes Unseld Jr. —What would it take for the Wizards to rebuild? —The future of Kristaps Porzingis —The Porzingis and Daniel Gafford frontcourt pairing —The future of Kyle Kuzma —The future of Deni Avdija —Biggest offseason need in Washington —Stylistic changes the Wizards should make —Player most likely to be traded —Free agency targets JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis s

MAIL TIME. Dan answers an array of questions that cover the Draymond Green suspension, Ja Morant's injury, the Philadelphia 76ers-Brooklyn Nets series, overreactions for every playoff team, win-win trades, player archetypes and much more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:35 - Draymond Green suspension 5:04 - INTRO 6:39 - Walker Kessler or Jaden McDaniels? 8:35 - Should the Utah Jazz trade for LaMelo Ball? 11:46 - Draymond Green and Domantas Sabonis incident 16:58 - Should Ja Morant be considered injury prone? 19:57 - Early postseason overreactions for every NBA playoff team 36:22 - Phoenix Suns impressions 40:22 - Why are NBA playoff games officiated differently? 44:39 - What's more impressive: The Brooklyn Nets defense or the Philadelphia 76ers defense? 47:06 - Which NBA archetypes will be the next trendy draft selections? 50:49 - What are the biggest win-win trades in NBA history?  JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfa

Dan and Grant wrap up their 2023 NBA playoffs primer with extend thoughts on the first-round matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat as well as the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:35 - INTRO 3:52 - Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat 23:40 - Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

BONUS POD. Dan is joined by The Kings Herald's Greg Wissinger (@gwiss) to discuss the wave of doubt engulfing the Sacramento Kings as they prepare to end their 16-year postseason drought and take on the Golden State Warriors in Round 1 of the 2023 NBA playoffs. Is the skepticism warranted? Are the Kings better than they're viewed nationally? Is the defense really that bad? Which matchups should we watch? How euphoric is it to know Sacramento not only made the postseason but did so comfortably? How important is the Kings' postseason performance to understanding how they should flesh out the roster moving forward? Plus, predictions, shit-talking, cliche questions from Dan for Greg, the growth of De'Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis, the rotation and MUCH more! JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoo

Dan and Grant preview all six first-round series that already set for the 2023 NBA playoffs. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:35 - INTRO 6:05 - Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets 17:01 - Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks 26:48 - Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks 42:41 - Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors 55:20 - Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers 1:13:09 - Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers 1:29:48 - PLAYOFF MAILBAG JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Grant and Dan drop their picks for All-NBA, All-Defense and All-Rookie teams. Be sure to check out our awards pod here: https://bit.ly/hwkx886 TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 3:07 - Rudy Gobert Suspension 6:16 - CRITERIA 9:37 - All-NBA Guards 19:05 - All-NBA Forwards 29:07 - All-NBA Centers 33:33 - All-Rookie teams 45:28 - All-Defense teams JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Grant and Dan go LOOOOONG on their 2022-23 NBA awards ballots. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:35 - INTRO/CRITERIA 9:31 - MVP/More Criteria 34:16 - Executive of the Year 43:06 - Coach of the Year 52:31 - Defensive Player of the Year 1:06:26 - Rookie of the Year 1:17:45 - Clutch Player of the Year 1:19:24 - Sixth Man of the Year 1:26:27 - Most Improved Player JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

MAIL TIME. This week's batch of FANTABULOUS questions have us talking about the future of Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic, why the Sacramento Kings #justwork, Deandre Ayton's role on the Kevin Durant-era Phoenix Suns, free-agency targets for the Indiana Pacers, the value of Trey Murphy, Nick Nurse and the Raptors and SO. MUCH. MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 2:28 - The difference between the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings 6:28 - Should the Mavs consider trading Luka Doncic 14:40 - Would the New Orleans Pelicans trade Trey Murphy for Jaylen Brown? 18:58 - Which NBA team needs to be more urgent building around their star? 23:00 - Which NBA team is the best fit for Victor Wembanyama? 29:02 - If you could guarantee perfect health for one player this playoffs, who would you pick and why? Which team would you pick? 31:11 - Is there any chance Mikal Bridges can win MIP this year from his performance since the trade deadline? 35:12 - How many rookies from this NBA Draft class have superstar upside?  38:01 - W

Dan is joined by the legendary Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) from Spotrac to cover the ins and outs of the new NBA collective bargaining agreement. Topics include: games-played minimum for awards, the luxury tax, the "super tax," the midseason tournament, players investing in NBA and WNBA teams and sports betting companies, unintended consequences of new items and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 3:26 - The NBA's focus on parity 6:46 - Is the "Super Tax" good or bad? 18:27 - Will more teams pay the "regular" luxury tax? 22:37 - The impact of a 65-game minimum for awards and All-NBA teams 31:13 - Do the changes in extension rules matter? 36:37 - The future of Jaylen Brown 43:03 - Is it good that players can invest in NBA/WNBA teams and sports betting companies 50:11 - Is the in-season tournament good or bad? 55:13 - Under-the-radar changes to the CBA JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hu

Dan and Grant revisit their NBA preseason win-loss predictions and take ownership of their biggest misses and explain their logic, what went wrong and so much more. We talk about more than half the league, so buckle up! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 6:11 - Oklahoma City Thunder 9:15 - Utah Jazz 12:46 - Sacramento Kings 17:31 - Indiana Pacers 20:52 - Boston Celtics 24:17 - New York Knicks 27:47 - Golden State Warriors 36:10 - Detroit Pistons 39:35 - Minnesota Timberwolves 45:56 - Phoenix Suns 48:26 - New Orleans Pelicans  53:13 - Dallas Mavericks 56:28 - LA Clippers 1:00:27 - Toronto Raptors JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in adve

MAIL TIME, PART 2. In the second mailbag of the week, Dan discusses the Julius Randle injury, playoff offenses, the future of Jaylen Brown on the Boston Celtics, NBA revenue sharing, teams best positioned to trade for Luka Doncic and MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 2:23 - Can the New York Knicks survive without Julius Randle 12:23 - Which team would Victor Wembanyama help the least? 17:49 - Will offenses be worse in the playoffs? 21:41 - Biggest winners and losers from the regular season 27:35 - Erase one of these NBA players' contributions from the league: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James or Michael Jordan  28:39 - Is Jaylen Brown destined to leave the Boston Celtics? 37:30 - How NBA revenue sharing works 42:02 - Is Kyrie Irving a good fit in Orlando? 44:33 - Which NBA teams are best positioned to trade for Luka Doncic JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @Har

MAIL TIME. Dan goes through questions that cover Evan Mobley and the Defensive Player of the Year race, the growth of Jaden McDaniels and his next contract, the future of Jaylen Brown, Jalen Williams, playoff basketball, LaMelo Ball and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 4:45 - The development of Jaden McDaniels 19:20 - LaMelo Ball's value 25:49 - Where would Jalen Williams go in a 2022 NBA re-draft? 28:50 - Woj or Shams? 30:37 - When is it okay to call someone a 'bust?' 33:30 - Is Evan Mobley a Defensive Player of the Year candidate? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreak