Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

Dan is joined by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to tackle the biggest questions they each have as the NBA nears the quarter-mark of the 2021-22 season. Their maze of inquiries covers playoff predictions for the Eastern Conference, the Sacramento Kings' future following Luke Walton's exit, the Toronto Raptors' direction, the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets, the Orlando Magic's starting five, the Phoenix Suns and Devin Booker and much, MUCH more...

In the second part of a super-duper-mega mailbag, Adam and Dan discuss Jonas Valanciunas' impact on the New Orleans Pelicans; the news about the Sacramento Kings being displeased with Luke Walton; their favorite guilty-pleasure league pass watches; DeMar DeRozan's MVP case; how the new foul rules could impact team-building in the future; the way analytics are presented to fans; and much more...

MAIL TIME! In Part One of our TWO-PART SUPER-DUPER-MEGA MAILBAG, your questions have us covering Karl-Anthony Towns' future with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Atlanta Hawks' recent struggles, trade targets for the Charlotte Hornets' center rotation, impressions of the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers' offense, Ben Simmons news, Will Barton's leap, the Denver Nuggets' title stock and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ ???? 0:16 - Intro ???? 1:46 - What's wrong with the Hawks? ???? 13:56 - Center...

Adam and Dan build their NBA awards ladders now that every team has played around 10 games for the season. Please note these are not meant to be predictions, but more of a snapshot of where the awards races stands if the 2021-22 campaign ended today. We have top five candidates for the MVP race, plus a top-three ladder for Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Executive of the Year and Coach of the Year...

Hardwood Knocks reacts to the explosive report from ESPN that alleges Phoenix Suns managing partner Robert Sarver has created a racist and misogynistic work environment over the course of his 17-year tenure. After that, Dan relays one stat—but really more—for every NBA team he finds interesting or will be watching for the rest of the season...

MAIL TIME! This week's dive into listener questions will cover the New York Knicks' hot start (loss to the Toronto Raptors not withstanding), Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr...

It's time for our second annual NBA 'Truth or Trash?!?' Sure, it's basically rebranded 'Fact or Fiction," but who cares? Dan is joined by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to discuss a bunch of surprising early-season trends and whether they should be viewed as new normals (truth!) or fleeting blips on the radar (trash!)...

MAIL TIME IS BACK! In our first mailbag of the 2021-22 NBA season, Hardwood Knocks covers the Ben Simmons saga FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE, talks about Tyler Herro's development, the Chicago Bulls' hot start, Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, mid-range jumpers and muuuuuch more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ ???? Ben Simmons...but not what you think (3:27) ???? Ja Morant vs. Zion Williamson (14:40) ???? Are we sleeping on the Nuggets? (22:29) ???? Tyler Herro's development (26:49) ???? Good mid-range vs...

Adam is back, which means the band is back, which means he and Dan have over/under win predictions for every NBA team ahead of the 2021-22 season. Buckle up for safety. The takes are about to fly...

Dan is joined by Allana Tachauer (@AllanaTachauer) of the Feel The Heat podcast over at 5 Reasons Sports to discuss all things Miami Heat ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season...