After profuse apologies from Marc Stein for a travel schedule that delayed the dropping of this podcast by one day, Stein and his pod partner Chris Haynes finally do connect to discuss the Ja Morant situation in Memphis from numerous angles, share their takeaways from Sunday's Phoenix/Dallas showdown, wander unexpectedly into the secrets of sideline reporting and ultimately assess Stein's claim that Denver, Golden State and Phoenix are the only three teams that can win the West. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a very busy edition of #thisleague UNCUT, Chris Haynes and Marc Stein discuss Kevin Durant's impressive debut as a Sun, how Phoenix will cope with the continuity edge possessed by title contenders like Boston, Milwaukee and Denver, Stephen Curry's looming return from injury in Golden State, LOTS on Russell Westbrook's early days in Clipperland, LOTS more on what LeBron James' foot injury means for the Lakers' ongoing struggles to get into the playoffs, Chris' own epic struggles adjusting to snow after moving from Portland to Cleveland nearly a decade ago, Marc's incurable tennis addiction and eclectic shoe collection ... and a tribute, in closing, to legendary Pacers PR man David Benner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 11 is best described is a freestylin' edition of #thisleague UNCUT. Chris Haynes and Marc Stein reflect on a slew of memorable games that have taken place since the NBA returned from the All-Star break ... but they do so in the midst of Damian Lillard's 71-point eruption against Houston. So brace yourself for some live play-by-play and excited reactions from Chris, amid talk about the Kings and Lakers and Mavericks, once it becomes apparent that Lillard will register a new career high in his first game played since appearing on the pod himself just last week. There is also some analysis of the Hawks' hiring of Quin Snyder and some behind-the-scenes storytime that Haynes steers Stein into and, in closing, an impromptu interview with Chauncey Billups when Chris decides to call the Blazers' coach on his drive home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 10, Chris Haynes and Marc Stein begin recapping NBA All-Star weekend. Chris was in Utah for All-Star weekend and shares stories about a $10,000 poker tournament and parties involving the games biggest stars. Later, they react to the Atlanta Hawks parting ways with Nate McMillan and then they discuss the role Hawks star PG Trae Young plays. Chris and Marc finish up examining the NBA buyout market and answering which player will be most impactful - will it be Westbrook with the Clippers, Love with the Heat or someone else that steps up?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NBA All-Star Damian Lillard joins Chris Haynes and Marc Stein on this episode of #thisleague UNCUT. Dame explains why he's not surprised by his exceptional level of play this season and then he shares his perspective on the Gary Payton II trade. He also takes us inside a conversation he had with Kevin Garnett about his future with Portland and then he talks about his experience going from a young player to a veteran.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford joins Chris Haynes and Marc Stein on this episode of #thisleague UNCUT. He gives his expectations for judging the NBA’s Dunk Contest despite, admittedly, only dunking twice in his professional career! He also gives his analysis of the Suns after adding Kevin Durant as well as the Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving pairing in Dallas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In their latest pod session, Chris Haynes and Marc Stein go deep on the NBA's 2023 buyout market -- on both the players who have already found new homes (Reggie Jackson, Terrence Ross and Danny Green) and several of the more high-profile names (such as Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Patrick Beverley and Serge Ibaka) who are still looking for their next team. They also discuss the delayed four-team trade that will at last bring Gary Payton II back to Golden State and send James Wiseman to Detroit ... with some fresh insight from Chris on why the Blazers are expected to face an investigation from the league into their injury disclosure practices. All that and more in the latest edition of #thisleague UNCUT. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Haynes and Marc Stein recap one of the wildest trade deadlines in recent memory and where  Kevin Durant’s Suns, his now former team in Brooklyn and the rest of the NBA goes from here after all the movement. As a bonus they also share a slew of unreported tidbits from their notebooks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

News happens fast and #thisleague UNCUT has you covered! Marc Stein handles this episode solo to give you an immediate reaction to the MASSIVE trade sending Kevin Durant to the Suns to team up with Chris Paul and Devin Booker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#thisleague indeed! Chris Haynes and Marc Stein are here reacting to the blockbuster trade sending Kyrie Irving from the Nets to the Mavericks to team up with Luka Doncic. Chris dives in on the timeline, explaining how this trade came together and what other offers the Nets were considering. Marc shares the team the Nets did not want to have Kyrie end up with. Plus, the surprising All-Star that was offered to Brooklyn in a deal for Kyrie but was turned down.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.