Hardwood Knocks

Dan discusses the collapse of the Dallas Mavericks, the prospect of their tanking this season and what the current state of affairs means for their season. After that, he's got five *reasonably bold* predictions to drop into your mindholes. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 2:12 - State of the Dallas Mavericks 19:02 - Prediction #1 25:04 - Prediction #2 29:46 - Prediction #3 33:10 - Prediction #4  38:43 - Prediction #5 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 goes LONG on the Paul George injury and its impact on the short- and long-term future of the LA Clippers. Then, while nobody asked for this, Dan offers one 2023 free agent every NBA team should already be thinking about— in the name of changing pace. CHAPTERS BELOW⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 2:50 - The LA Clippers without Paul George 24:02 - Atlanta Hawks 24:59 - Boston Celtics 25:24 - Brooklyn Nets 26:15 - Charlotte Hornets 27:06 - Chicago Bulls 27:43 - Cleveland Cavaliers 28:18 - Dallas Mavericks 28:57 - Denver Nuggets 29:53 - Detroit Pistons 30:22 - Golden State Warriors 31:11 - Houston Rockets 32:00 - Indiana Pacers 33:00 - LA Clippers 33:34 - Los Angeles Clippers 34:45 - Memphis Grizzlies 36:03 - Miami Heat 36:38 - Milwaukee Bucks 37:46 - Minnesota Timberwolves 38:26 - New Orleans Pelicans 39:37 - New York Knicks 42:00 - Oklahoma City Thunder 44:15 - Orlando Magic 45:58 - Philadelphia 76ers 46:47 - Phoenix Suns 48:10 - Portland Trail Blazers 50:12 - Sacramento Kings 51:34 - San Antonio Spurs 53:10 - Toronto Rapt

Dan and Grant are trading big-picture observations for that will define the rest of the NBA season, potentially the 2023 NBA playoffs and definitely the 2023 NBA offseason. This journey includes the future of the New Orleans Pelicans, the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks, Jalen Williams and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 4:45 - The future of the New Orleans Pelicans is complicated 15:32 - Free-agency outlook, Jerami Grant, Nikola Vucevic 24:16 - Are the New York Knicks underrated? 35:07 - Next steps for the Knicks 36:23 - Are the Philadelphia 76ers Tier 1 title contenders? 42:31 - The Memphis Grizzlies playoff stock 47:26 - Is Kawhi Leonard a top-five player again? 53:23 - Can Jalen Williams be better than Paolo Banchero? 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

MAIL TIME. In Part 3 of our three-part mailbag, Dan and Grant dive into the future of the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, the latest Lonzo Ball injury news, Jayson Tatum's slumping MVP case, the Denver Nuggets' title chances, the Golden State Warriors' transition into the post-Stephen Curry era, the best clutch players who don't score and MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:30 - Who gets more wins over the next three seasons: The New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets? 7:57 - Why has Jayson Tatum fallen out of the MVP discussion? 12:36 - Which NBA franchise would you chose to represent the model of how to build a team, culture, manage finances, etc 23:37 - Lonzo Ball update 24:39 - True shooting percentage 26:14 - Who are the best clutch time NBA players based on stats excluding points scored? Guys who do all the little things at the end of the game but don’t hit the final shot. 31:22 - Should the Denver Nuggets be title favorites? 36:26 - What will happen to the Golden State Warriors after Stephen Curry retires? JOIN OUR DIS

MAIL TIME. In Part 2 of our three-part mailbag, Dan and Grant react to Bogdan Bogdanovic signing an extension with the Atlanta Hawks before tackling the free-agency outlooks for Cam Johnson and Hamidou Diallo. After that, they talk about Kawhi Leonard's All-NBA candidacy, as well as the battle for the final center spot. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:30 - INTRO 4:46 - The Bogdan Bogdanovic extension  17:51 - How much will Cam Johnson get in free agency? 22:52 - What will be Hamidou Diallo's free-agent market? 33:51 - Are the Sacramento Kings locks to win the Pacific Division? 39:21 - Will Kawhi Leonard make an All-NBA team? 45:21 - Who's your third-team All-NBA center? 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 par

MAIL TIME. In part 1 of this week's mailbag, Dan discusses the Denver Nuggets' recent struggles, player evaluation, the long-term future of the Miami Heat, Kyrie Irving's next contract, the most important role players of the NBA playoffs and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:30 - INTRO 3:26 - Are the Denver Nuggets in trouble? 17:28 - Who will be the Portland Trail Blazers' next head coach? 23:26 - What matters more in player evaluation: offense or defense? 26:26 - How important is continuity for NBA title contenders? 31:18 - What should Kyrie Irving's next contract look like? 35:58 - Who will make the next Mikal Bridges-type leap?  38:19 - Deepest playoff teams, most important role players in the postseason 48:18 - The significance postseason runs for the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings  51:16 - Can Miami Heat avoid remaining trapped in mediocrity? 54:13 - Will LeBron James play until he's 45?!? 56:09 - Which role players can you NOT imagine playing for another team? 57:41 - Which role player would be the best s

Dan is joined by Greg Wissinger (@gwiss) of The Kings Herald to discuss—YOU GUESSED IT—the rise of the 2022-23 Sacramento Kings. From what makes them tick to their biggest flaws to breaking down potential playoff matchups, they get into it all. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:30 - INTRO 3:31 - How surprising is this Kings team? 9:22 - The defining factors of the NBA's best offense 10:58 - Domantas Sabonis' better-than-expected fit 12:22 - The growth of De'Aaron Fox 15:58 - Staggering the minutes of Sabonis and Fox 19:11 - Development of Keegan Murray 22:28 - Impact of Malik Monk 25:17 - Is the Kings defense really that bad? 30:43 - Revisiting the Kevin Huerter trade 32:47 - Are the Kings underrated? 35:36 - Ideal first-round playoff matchup for the Kings 39:27 - Most problematic playoff matchups for the 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 / @hardwo

Dan goes long on one question, which was inspired by Discord user ItsAllen: Why do basketball fans care about the NBA MVP award so much? 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 revisit all the biggest deals from the 2023 NBA trade deadline and discuss where their impressions of each transaction stand exactly one month later. Part 2 covers the D'Angelo Russell mega trade, the Toronto Raptors getting Jakob Poeltl, the New York Knicks landing Josh Hart, Jae Crowder going to the Milwaukee Bucks and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:45 - D'Angelo Russell trade 14:01 - Jakob Poeltl trade 21:56 - Josh Hart trade 29:33 - Jae Crowder trade 34:31 - Eric Gordon/Luke Kennard trade 42:21 - Bones Hyland trade 44:01 - Josh Richardson trade 44:42 - Dario Saric trade 46:13 - Jalen McDaniels trade 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

Dan and Grant revisit all the biggest deals from the 2023 NBA trade deadline and discuss where their impressions of each transaction stand exactly one month later. Part 1 will cover the Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Wiseman moves. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - Intro 3:01 - Kevin Durant trade 11:46 - Kyrie Irving trade 23:03 - James Wiseman trade 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

WELCOME TO NBA 'HOT OR NOT?!' You submitted your hot takes. Dan and Grant are here to discuss whether they're too spicy or not incendiary enough. This batch of surface-of-the-sun takes will cover everything from max (or near-max) contract candidates this summer, the rise of the New York Knicks, the future of the Miami Heat, the MVP race and MUCH more! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 3:01 - The Sacramento Kings are more likely to win a playoff series than the Memphis Grizzlies 5:18 - A 10-seed will win one of the play-in tournaments 7:14 - Damian Lillard will make First Team All-NBA 12:03 - The 2024 Rookie of the Year race will be an all-timer 13:34 - The Dallas Mavericks OR LA Clippers will miss the playoffs 16:18 - The Knicks will win more than 50 games 18:34 - The betting favorites for DPOY and MIP will NOT win the awards 24:26 - Damian Lillard OR Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will receive more MVP votes than Jayson Tatum  25:34 - The Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets have the brightest futures in the NBA 29:02 - A ful

MAIL TIME. Dan drops Part 2 of this week's mailbag, which includes a look at the surging New York Knicks, the ambiguous L.A. Clippers, the NBA MVP race, Anthony Edwards, playoff seeds and more! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:39 - Anthony Edwards 5:02 - Are the New York Knicks actually good? 10:57 - The MVP discussion  32:05 - What happens to the L.A. Clippers if they implode during—or before—the postseason? 39:41 - Top Sixth Man of the Year candidates 48:48 - Predicted the top 10 seeds in both the East and the West...You're welcome? 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.spreake

MAIL TIME. In Part 1 of a two-pod mailbag, Dan ventures through questions that cover the Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder, playoff basketball, Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:46 - Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Outlook 13:00 - Is it time for the Oklahoma City Thunder to go all-in this summer? 20:47 - Fred VanVleet's free-agency value 27:29 - What’s a bigger detriment to a team in the playoffs: a defensive ace with no offensive game, or a pure bucket that is an absolute liability on defense? 31:06 - Pascal Siakam's playmaking 35:27 - The Toronto Raptors outlook 41:09 - How much is Gary Trent Jr. Worth? 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 Spreake

Dan and Grant go through their EIGHT most interesting NBA teams heading into the stretch run of the 2022-23 regular season. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 3:23 - Most interesting team No. 1 8:55 - Most interesting team No. 2 12:40 - Most interesting team No. 3 13:22 - Will Kyrie be on the Mavs next season? 18:47 - Most interesting team No. 4 22:23 - Most interesting team No. 5 26:11 - Most interesting team No. 6 28:49 - Most interesting team No. 7 31:48 - Most interesting team No. 8 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. In the latest mailbag, Dan and Grant tackle Cinderella candidates ahead of the 2023 NBA playoffs, discuss their best head coaches, the development of Mark Williams, Jerami Grant's free agency and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:15 - Are the Lakers cooked without LeBron James? 6:10 - Are the Jazz tanking? 10:46 - Do players deserve blame for load management? 16:15 - Can the Kings win a playoff series? 18:47 - Should the NBA implement a target score for overtime? 21:12 - Imagining Victor Wembanyama on a Finals contender 22:17 - Which team DON'T you want to see get Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson? 28:15 - Will the Jazz look at trading Lauri Markkanen over the offseason? 29:10 - The development of Mark Williams 33:56 - Jalen Duren or Mark Williams? 34:18 - Most likely playoff Cinderella stories 39:10 - Which team can steal Jerami Grant from the Blazers? 43:02 - Will the Grizzlies make a big trade this summer? 49:06 - Top five coaches in game management, strategy and x's o's. 56:50 - T

Dan reacts to some of the most pressing NBA news items: Quin Snyder (officially) joining the Atlanta Hawks, the LaMelo Ball injury, the LeBron James injury and the latest on CBA negotiations between the league and the players union. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:02 - Quin Snyder, the future of the Atlanta Hawks 18:47 - LaMelo Ball Injury 25:22 - Can the Lakers survive the LeBron James injury? 36:44 - Reacting to the latest CBA negotiation news: age limit, luxury-tax bands, extension rules 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 pose 10 pressing questions that they'll thinking about over the stretch run of the NBA regular season. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:46 - Which teams will emerge as surprise tankers? 6:08 - Which team will go down as a disastrous disappointment? 13:06 - What is the most impactful injury for the rest of this season? 15:59 - Who is the rightful title favorite? 19:46 - Will Russell Westbrook have a material impact, good or bad, on the Clippers' outlook? 24:39 - Which new arrival will have the biggest impact on their team?  29:04 - How concerned are we about the long-term trajectory of the New Orleans Pelicans? 35:25 - Will Kevin Durant's fit on the Phoenix Suns be seamless? 41:07 - Which buyout acquisition will matter the most? 45:26 - Which contenders will make major changes if they don't win a title? 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: 

MAIL TIME. Dan and Grant plow through questions that cover Nate McMillan getting fired, the future of the Atlanta Hawks, fixes for NBA All-Star Weekend, the current parity, contenders who are actually frauds, rookie awards, the outlook of the Brooklyn Nets and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 4:23 - Nate McMillan firing, future of the Atlanta Hawks 14:28 - Fixing All-Star Weekend 23:21 - Is this parity in the NBA temporary? 28:26 - Which should-be contender is a fraud? 37:25 - Kevin Love to Miami, Will Cleveland regret it? 39:06 - Mac McClung's NBA future 40:33 - Dark horse spoilers for the playoffs 44:26 - Which contender might blow it up if they have a disappointing postseason? 49:14 - NBA Awards for Rookies 52:34 - Are the Orlando Magic the next version of the Memphis Grizzlies 53:36 - Which 1-6 teams are most likely to fall into play-in territory? Which 7-10 teams drop out of the play-in? 57:27 - How will the Nets operate this summer?  1:02:16 - Predicting post-All-Star leap JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/

Dan is joined by Sam Cooper (@scooperhoops) and Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) of The Timeline Podcast to for a DEEEEP dive into how the Kevin Durant trade impacts the Phoenix Suns both immediately and over the longer term. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:46 - WAS JOSH OKOGIE SNUBBED FROM THE THREE-POINT COMPETITION?! 3:38 - Thoughts about the Kevin Durant trade two weeks later... 6:38 - The opportunity cost of acquiring KD 14:10 - The urgency of Phoenix's window 19:16 - Most fascinating impact of Kevin Durant's on-court fit 24:42 - Concerns about the KD fit 31:51 - Deandre Ayton's fit 36:20 - Devin Booker's role post-KD 42:16 - Terrence Ross' fit 46:13 - Best guesses for the rotation/Buyout targets 52:59 - Should the Suns be considered title favorites? 57:36 - Toughest potential matchups 1:03:59 - Offseason priorities 1:06:28 - The Kyrie bugaboo 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 TW

MAIL TIME. In Part 2 of our two-part mailbag, Dan and Grant cover the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker-at-point-guard lineups, the future of the Brooklyn Nets, Mikal Bridges' ceiling, the progression of Evan Mobley, the next blow-it-up candidates and much more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:11 - INTRO 3:03 - How far can the Nets go in the playoffs 5:27 - The expansion of Mikal Bridges' offensive game 10:11 - Pelicans vs. Magic 12:44 - Which team will look the most different next year after standing pat at the trade deadline? 16:27 - What's the worst destination for Victor Wembanyama and why is it the Rockets? 20:11 - Has Evan Mobley made THE LEAP? 25:12 - More valuable: Distant first-round picks or immediate first-rounders? 31:41 - Which team will do what the Nets or Jazz have done and tear it down next? 39:54 - Who would be the longest tenured Utah Jazz player next season? 42:12 - Did the Phoenix Suns give up too much for Kevin Durant? 48:53 - Will the KD trade have an impact on the CBA? 52:06 - Should Phoeni