

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

Dec 16, 2024 • 26min
Mavs & Warriors shoot the lights out | Lakers & LeBron reunite
Luka Donćic recorded his 80th career triple double as the Warriors and Mavericks combined for 48 made three pointers. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Anthony Slater discuss the offensive explosion from both teams, the Warriors new lineups, and how things will look after trading for Dennis Schröeder . Then, the Athletic’s Law Murray joins Dave and Es Baraheni to discuss LeBron’s return to the Lakers after some time away, Anthony Davis’ monster performance against the Grizzlies, and Kawhi Leonard’s impending return.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni, Anthony Slater, & Law MurrayExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 15, 2024 • 26min
Thunder Roll Rockets | Bucks tame Hawks | Schroder to the Warriors
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder dominate the Houston Rockets in Las Vegas at the NBA Cup, the Bucks and Giannis take down the Hawks and Dennis Schroder is traded to the Warriors. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita and Es Baraheni are on location to discuss all this and more. Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni and Zena KeitaExecutive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 14, 2024 • 1h 3min
What Happened to the Denver Nuggets? with Adam Mares | Slam N' Jam
Slam N JamAndrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA basketball including the NBA Cup, Trae Young stats, Jimmy Butler fake trades, and more. Then Adam Mares of DNVR joins to discuss the Denver Nuggets, their current trajectory, and if they can become the title contenders we thought they were this season. Then the guys play a fun version of Andrew vs. The Beat!Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Adam MaresExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Jake Kleinberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 13, 2024 • 27min
Rockets ready for takeoff in the NBA Cup? | Jimmy Butler’s hair raises Heat questions
Jimmy Butler’s purple hair didn’t distract the Heat as they won their fourth straight. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita are joined by Wes Goldberg to talk about Miami’s recent success, Jimmy Butler’s hair, and the current trade situation. Then, the Athletic’s Sam Amick joins the show to talk about the Thunder and their front office, the Rockets and Ime Udoka, and the latest in the trade market.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita, Wes Goldberg, Sam AmickExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 12, 2024 • 25min
Rockets & Warriors deliver thriller | Trae Young rolls dice in New York
The NBA Cup semifinals are set. The Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets will join the Thunder and Bucks in Las Vegas. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni are joined by the Athletic’s James Edwards III and Marcus Thompson II to recap the Hawks and Rockets victories, what plagued the Knicks and Warriors, and where these teams are going from here. Then, Es and Dave issue a few early season retractions in the mailbag segment.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, James Edwards, Marcus ThompsonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 11, 2024 • 28min
Bucks & Thunder advance in NBA Cup | The Athletic’s Front Office Rankings
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. The Milwaukee Bucks knock out the Orlando Magic thanks to 37 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita are joined by the Athletic’s Eric Nehm and Andrew Schlecht to breakdown the Bucks and Thunder victories and their paths to success in Las Vegas. Then, Zena and Dave take a look at some of the teams that were not included in the Athletic’s front office rankings and discuss the Jimmy Butler trade situation.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita, Andrew Schlecht, Eric NehmExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 10, 2024 • 27min
NBA Cup Preview | Who are the real Warriors?
With eight teams remaining, as the NBA Cup enters the knockout stages, Stephen Curry and the Warriors look to book their ticket to Las Vegas. Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, and Anthony Slater take a look at the Western conference and discuss who guards Shai and Luka, whether the Warriors care, and why the Cup means more to the Rockets. Then, Es and Dave look at the Bucks chances of NBA Cup redemption and Trae Young’s heel work in Madison Square Garden. In the mailbag, the gang take a look at injuries, the Nets roster decisions, and which version of this year’s Warriors team is the real one.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Anthony SlaterExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 9, 2024 • 26min
Are the Grizzlies contenders? | Nikola Jokić’s MVP weekend
Nikola Jokić followed up his 56 point performance in a loss to the Washington Wizards with 48 points in a win over the Atlanta Hawks. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Es Baraheni catch up on Nikola Jokić and his 104-point weekend, look into the Bucks recent success, and discuss the Grizzlies status as contenders. Finally, Es, Zena, and Dave look ahead to the NBA Cup semifinal matchups.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni & Zena KeitaExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 7, 2024 • 1h 21min
John Hollinger + Slammie Awards
Saturday Slam N JamAndrew Schlecht and Alex Speers hand out their quarterly Slammie Awards including: League Pass Team of the 1st Quarter, Say What? Stat of the 1st Quarter, They did what now? Award, "Now THIS is gonna be fun" award, and many more. Then in Part 2 John Hollinger of the Athletic joins the show to discuss some of his observations a quarter way through the season and discuss his new book the Basketball 100. Then the guys play a fun edition of Andrew vs. The Beat.Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: John HollingerExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Jake KleinbergSubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 6, 2024 • 28min
Cavs roll in spite of Jokić | Thinking Basketball with Ben Taylor
Nikola Jokić passed Magic Johnson on the NBA’s all time triple doubles list, but it wasn’t enough as the Nuggets were handily beaten by the league best Cleveland Cavaliers. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discuss Jokić night and season thus far, revisit the “Jamal Murray or Donovan Mitchell” debate, and Ja Morant’s ejection against the Kings. Then, Ben Taylor, from “Thinking Basketball”, joins the show to talk about the contenders that pass his sniff test. Finally, Es and Dave take a look at some eye opening numbers.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es BaraheniExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodySubmit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.