The Athletic NBA Daily

In this week's Point of Contention Ethan Strauss and Marcus Thompson debate. Hosted by Zach Harper.Take 1: Oh boy the drama that is unfolding out west between the Lakers and Suns, that is about to put a serious crimp in LeBron’s Space Jam 2 debut next month.Take 2: Danny Ainge has been at the helm for 18 years with his greatest achievement being the 2008 NBA title with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Since then Ainge accumulated a ton of young talent, draft picks and was notoriously always on the brink of making that big trade. But Ainge could not turn the corner, or even close for that matter.Take 3: The legend of Damian Lillard, yet again, grew on Tuesday night as he orchestrated a game for the ages, scoring 55 points and an NBA playoff-record 12 3-pointers as the Trail Blazers lost to the Nuggets. Lost?Take 4: The NBA issued an 11-point memo which states clearly, among other things, that alcoholic beverages will still be permitted but encourages fans to tell on guests for “inappropriate behavior” to the nearest usher, security guard, or guest services staff member.Take 5: Fellas, it’s been too long without some Awards talk, and even though there is not technically an award for Playoff MVP, we’re doing it anyway. Who you got? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Hoops Adjacent Marques Johnson, basketball analyst for the Milwaukee Bucks on Fox Sports Net, drops by to talk all thinks Bucks. Also reflecting back on his playing days in the NBA with Don Nelson and position-less basketball. Also his acting career, White Men Can't Jump and the success of his son Josiah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Schlecht hosts in place of Sam Amick today with Fred Katz, Anthony Slater and special guest Mike Smeltz. They discuss these 8 topics around the NBA Playoffs:1. Have we learned anything about the Nets in their first round series? (With Mike Smeltz)2. Who has the brighter future, Hawks or Grizzlies?3.Will the Chris Paul injury or the Anthony Davis injury matter more in their 1st round series.4. The Clippers have flipped the momentum on the Mavs, do we trust them to keep it?5. What’s next for the Heat?6.Nuggets or Blazers?7. What more can the NBA do to stop the wild fan behavior? (Popcorn, spit, water bottle)8. The Bucks currently have the 3rd best odds to win the title (+550) according to BetMGM, behind the Net (+200), and the Lakers (+450)... do we think that’s the right place for them? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Basketball Buds. Zach Harper, Dave DuFour, Tray Edwards and Law Murray. Despite his absence from the show Jay King and the Milwaukee Bucks have the last laugh in a diss track for the ages. Then the Suns take Game 4 in their series against the Lakers. Is there any concern here? Then Knicks vs Hawks, Trae Young too much for NY. Also, 76ers/Wizards, Nuggets/Blazers and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss Kawhi Leonard's place in the Clippers blame game, who will make the East and West Finals and then bring on Will Guillory of the Athletic to discuss the Nets and Bucks and then play a round of NBA Trivia based on the first round of the playoffs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Nerder, Dave, Seth and Mo go through the first round series that matter. Knicks/Hawks, Bucks/Heat, Clippers/Mavs, Lakers/Suns, Blazers/Nuggets and Jazz/Grizzlies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Point of Contention Ethan Strauss and Marcus Thompson debate. Hosted by Zach Harper.Take 1: Lakers in Trouble? Psyche!!Take 2: Meanwhile, while everyone was watching the Lakers Suns, the Clippers dropped another one to Luka and the Mavs.Take 3: Donovan Mitchell is getting upset!Take 4: What time is it? It’s Dame Time! Wait...Let’s go to the Replay Center!Take 5: Do we need another in-season Tournament? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NBA's / TNT's Steve 'Smitty' Smith drops by to talk with David and Marcus, reminiscing about his signature move, paradigm shifts in the NBA and changing the mind of a nation. Runnin' with Magic and Gervin. "Giving back is part of our heritage," said DA. Then talking about the poised Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young's Game 1 performance against the Knicks. Small ball vs Bigs. Lakers in trouble? Clippers gonna wake up? "Luka is not scared of anybody." Donovan Mitchell's time and rhythm. How will the Nets do without a BIG? Jrue Holiday has changed the Bucks. Finally...get your time machine out...what team needs a "Smitty right now? And James Wiseman on the trading block confusion. What did Bob Myers say? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Amick, Fred Katz, and Anthony Slater discuss Suns victory over the Lakers, the NBA crowds, if the Grizzlies are starting something special, problems with the Clippers and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Basketball Buds. Zach Harper, Jay King, Dave DuFour and Tray Edwards try to make sense of what happened in Game 1 of the Lakers vs Suns series...."WWE x NBA Collab?" says Tray. Then, is anyone excited about the Blazers win over the Nuggets in their opener? Also, Jay apologizes to Melo. Then, Luka dismantles Pat Bev then adds insult to injury and calls him "too small." Next up, KD disrespects the Celtics. Took over on both sides of the court. Kyrie takes the 3rd quarter. How can these guys be stopped? Too Big Tobias Harris and Doc Rivers a match made in heaven. Finally Knicks vs Hawks and the Heat hit an early road block on their way to beating the Bucks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.