The Woj Pod

Portland Trail Blazers President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey joins The Woj Pod to discuss the importance of established players for teams in a pandemic, retooling the Blazers in free agency, the impact of Carmelo Anthony on his organization, remembering The Bubble and preparing for the chaotic possibilities of a 2020-2021 season amid a raging pandemic.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was a Greek teen of Nigerian descent, hawking trinkets on the streets of Athens. And when he started playing basketball, few people knew what to make of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The only thing the scouts could see was that he was all arms and legs. The only thing Giannis could envision was an opportunity for his family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a showcase in a coastal Italian town, the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks had seen enough. And yet, it was the Hawks' courtship that secured a promise for the franchise to believe they had an inside track on drafting Giannis. And when Giannis touched down in Atlanta prior to the draft, the organization became even more obsessed with making this Greek teen a Hawk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Atlanta to New York, Giannis' new American journey delivered him to the NBA draft. First, he needed to understand how it all worked. He needed a suit. He needed a Greek flag. And he needed a team. No one knew who would be selected no. 1. As the picks started to come off the board, Giannis Antetokounmpo finally wondered whether this grand plan would all come together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN NBA reporter Tim MacMahon on Daryl Morey's move to the 76ers, Stephen Silas' hiring in Houston, James Harden's future, a new Jazz owner, what's at stake for the NBA in restarting next season before Christmas, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Lakers Executive VP and GM Rob Pelinka on The Woj Pod: Inside the championship season, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Kobe and Gigi Bryant, Magic Johnson, chasing big free agents, growing on job and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse joins The Woj Pod on his new book, "Rapture," what most bothered him about life in the bubble, his pilgrimage to visit Phil Jackson, proving yourself to players as an NBA coach, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Undefeated and ESPN's Marc Spears on the dynamic of the LeBron James and Kobe Bryant relationship, his new book, "The Spencer Haywood Rule," NBA hiring practices of minority candidates and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash, a Hall of Fame guard, joins The Woj Pod to discuss Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the leap into coaching, the influence of Steve Kerr and Mike D'Antoni, his final years with the Lakers, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Fizdale joins The Woj Pod to discuss the Lakers-Heat NBA Finals, including LeBron James’ burden to deliver a title in LA, the trying early days of the Big 3 in Miami, Erik Spoelstra's place among elite of the coaching profession, the evolution of the Pat Riley-Spo dynamic and much, much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices