All The Smoke Behind the Scenes of NBA Cup with Rachel Nichols ft. SGA, D-Wade, Blake Griffin and More
Dec 13, 2025
In a lively discussion, former NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade shares insights on the NBA Cup, praising its competitive edge for team evaluations. He breaks down the Eastern Conference landscape, reflecting on the Knicks' growth and Miami's unpredictability. Wade also reminisces about his championship celebrations, contrasting them with Oklahoma City's quieter moments. With guests like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander discussing team preparation and success, the episode offers a blend of analysis, personal stories, and the excitement of the new NBA season.
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NBA Cup Shapes Midseason Trajectories
- Dwyane Wade says the NBA Cup gives teams a midseason evaluation and a chance to save a slow start.
- He believes cup play builds confidence and should be weighted more heavily as it grows.
East Unpredictable; West Deep And Grueling
- Dwyane Wade highlights the East's unpredictability and the West's depth of elite teams.
- He argues the East can still produce contenders even if depth isn't uniform across the conference.
OKC's Professional DNA Fuels Sustained Dominance
- Wade calls OKC a class above when healthy and praises their professional, defense-first post-shot approach.
- He warns their dominance may persist for years if health and mentality hold.