Host Brandon Contes interviews TNT and Bleacher Report NBA insider Chris Haynes. Brandon and Chris discuss a wide range of topics including the future of the NBA on TNT and how the "Inside the NBA" guys are, being a local beat reporter and cultivating relationships, how LeBron James had a part in getting him a national reporting job, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-:36: Second appearance on the podcast

-1:54: Chris Hayes

-3:28: Charles Barkley staying with TNT

-5:33: Where was Chris when Barkley made his retirement announcement?

-7:21: Discussion off camera after the announcement

-9:01: Getting to know the “Inside the NBA” crew

-12:21: Chris making sideline reporting role his own

-15:31: Toughest person to interview

-16:43: What makes “Inside the NBA” so special?

-20:03: What to expect in final year of “Inside the NBA” with the NBA on TNT

-21:09: Chris’ status with TNT

-22:15: Being an independent insider

-23:20: Being a local reporter

-28:30: Chris’ media origin story

-32:26: Odds being stacked against Chris starting out

-37:50: Being perceived by other writers when starting out

-42:58: Building relationships and trust

-46:29: Going to cover Cleveland Cavs when LeBron James came back

-48:35: Trying to build a relationship with LeBron

-53:35: Is it more important to cultivate relationship with players, teams/GM’s, or agents in terms of info gathering?

-54:07: Difference between being a reporter and being an insider in terms of relationships

-56:39: Being in competition with Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania?

-57:58: How Chris gets the stories he breaks?

-1:02:05: How much does Chris report?

-1:04:01: Wildest report that Chris reported

-1:06:25: Being on “Undisputed”

-1:10:53: Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe off camera

-1:13:08: Importance of breaking news

-1:18:26: “Doc Rivers to Milwaukee Bucks” CNN Sports report

-1:22:10: Report Chris is least proud of and most proud of

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