

The Athletic NBA Daily
The Athletic
Start your day with The Athletic NBA Daily – a fast, entertaining recap of the most important games and stories from the world of professional basketball with new episodes dropping Monday through Friday. Hosted by Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni with regular appearances by The Athletic’s award-winning NBA reporters. Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears cap the week with the full-length Saturday Slam n’ Jam episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 3, 2021 • 46min
LeBron is Human?, Lakers Questions, Professional Suns, Nuggets, LaMelo's Back + East Outlook
In this week's Basketball Buds Dave DuFour, Jay King, James Edwards and Tray Edwards talk about the race for the playoffs in both the West and Eastern Conferences. LeBron is back, but say's he's never be the same player again. That's weird. Also Anthony Davis, still not right. Then, the guys are very confident about the Suns heading into the playoffs. Chris Paul and Devin Booker have made this a professional operation and very dangerous. Plus the Nuggets and the future MVP Nicola Jokic. In the East Philly, Brooklyn, Milwaukee are all in great shape. Don't sleep on the Heat! Can Jayson Tatum carry the Celtics? And finally the 4/5 seed battle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 1, 2021 • 59min
All NBA Guard Selection, Utah Jazz Gem Georges Niang, Sacramento Kings Deep Dive with Jason Jones
Andrew Schlecht is joined by Fred Katz to discuss who the All NBA Guards should be. Is Luka a guard? Who are the locks? Is Chris Paul a lock? Kyrie or James Harden? Booker or Mitchell? Then they have a brief discussion on Georges Niang of the Utah Jazz. Andrew and Fred are then joined by Jason Jones of the Athletic to discuss the Sacramento Kings and their wild season. How can the improve from here? Will Buddy and Bagley be part of the team moving forward? and more. Then Jason sticks around for a trivia show, Fred vs. the Beat, where Fred tries his luck against the Kings beat writer in .... Kings Trivia! Then we spin the wheel of fandom to see who the next team is going to be. Listen in to find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 29, 2021 • 38min
Russ Renaissance, Love's Grief, Dr. J's Snub, Warriors Tank? + Julius Randle the Real MVP
In this week's Point of Contention, Marcus Thompson and Ethan Strauss debate! Hosted by Zach Harper.Take 1: In a time when fans are pretty much waiting for the playoffs to start the NBA has delivered! Russell Westbrook has delivered as well breaking the longstanding NBA record in the Wizards' 146-143 loss to the San Antonio Spurs: Wilt Chamberlain's record for triple-doubles in a single month, which has stood since 1968. Wilt had 11, Russ now has 12. Take 2: Cavaliers forward Kevin Love apologized for his on-court brain-fart Monday night, saying his behavior was out of character. "That wasn't me." he said. Wait. It wasn’t you? Well then who the hell was it? Take 3: This week, NBA legend Julius Irving aka Dr. J on 'Posted Up' with Chris Haynes did not include LeBron James, arguably one of the Top 3 players to play the game in his Top 2 All Time teams.Take 4: After the game Steve Kerr said "They came out like it was a playoff game. We came out like it was an exhibition." Is now the time to tank?Take 5: Is Julius Randle the Real MVP? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 28, 2021 • 48min
Wizards Go National with Fred Katz
Wizards reporter Fred Katz drops by to talk with David and Wos about the red-hot Wizards. What's going on? Even Fred is mystified. The defense has been key. Russell Westbrook has returned to form and much more. Plus, we answer your non-stupid questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 27, 2021 • 49min
Lillard long for the Blazers? + The Race for the NBA Play In
Sam Amick, Fred Katz, and Anthony Slater are joined by the Athletic's own Jason Quick to discuss the Blazers and the struggle they've been through this season. Can Terry Stotts survive another season? Will they finally look to trade CJ McCollum? Will Damian Lillard want to stick around?They also discuss the race for the Play In Tournament in the East and West including the hot play of the Warriors and Wizards, the Hornets, Mavs, Heat, Grizzlies and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 26, 2021 • 52min
The Julius Randle Debate, KnicksTape, Big Stars Returning + The Curse of the Power Ranking
The Basketball Buds, Zach Harper, Jay King, Tray Edwards, Dave DuFour and James Edwards III. First up, Julius Randle 1st Team All-NBA lock? Hard to deny unless your name is Jay King, but the Knicks are rolling. Then, looking back at the Derrick Rose trade. — AD and KD back, LeBron next week. The Curse of the Power Rankings. Play-In Tournament scenarios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 24, 2021 • 1h 5min
NBA All Sophomore Team, East Play In Teams, and 76ers Deep Dive
Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week that was in the NBA, the NBA Sophomores and who would make a hypothetical All Sophomore Team, who will make the Play In/Playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Then they bring on Rich Hofmann of the Athletic to discuss the Philadelphia 76ers, Embiid's MVP candidacy, Ben Simmons' offensive stagnation, young 76ers and more. Plus a 76ers trivia game in another edition of Andrew vs. The Beat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 23, 2021 • 57min
Nerder Mailbag + Circle of Life: Part Deux
Dave is back from vacation, refreshed and ready. "How nice." said Mo. Seth asks, "Who's the Harden in this equation?" Do we believe in the Suns title chances? Worst first round matchups for contenders. Building around Zion. Is the G League the best development league? Then...NBA Circle of Life: Orlando and OKC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 22, 2021 • 42min
Steph MVP!?, Suns Risen, TV Ratings, Title Odds + Injuries Injuries Injuries
In this week's Point of Contention, Marcus Thompson and Ethan Strauss debate! Hosted by Zach Harper.Take 1 - Five years after he revolutionized the game of basketball, the baby faced assassin, Steph Curry is back-back, playing the best basketball of his career.Take 2 - Fellas it is April 21 and the Phoenix Suns are now 41-6 sitting in second in the West beyond the JazzTake 3 - TV Ratings Coverup?Take 4 - Wait a minute what’s this? Wow!!! I just found $500 bucks right here sitting on my desk. My lord, what a day.Take 5 - LeBron, Giannis, LaMelo, A.D., K.D. Harden, Jamal Murray. What’s going on??? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 21, 2021 • 34min
Warriors Deep Dive + Steph's Insane Run with Monte Poole
NBC Sports' Monte Poole drops by to talk about the Warriors, Steph's crazy run going on, Draymond, Klay and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.