Oddball w/ Amin Elhassan & Izzy Gutierrez

In this episode, Amin and Izzy delve into the NBA’s Most Improved Player race, wondering if a former #1 pick like Cade Cunningham can ever win the award, even after an impressive season with the Detroit Pistons. Plus, we look at other contenders like Dyson Daniels, Tyler Herro, and Christian Braun, and the broader implications of the Most Improved Player award. We also talk about the NBA and FIBA exploring the creation of a new 16-team basketball league in Europe set to rival the Euroleague. Is an NBA expansion coming? Click play to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taylor Jenkins is no longer the head coach in Memphis! What's up with this timing, how much did Ja Morant have to do with the move, and who is the new guy? Get all your answers on Oddball, along with Izzy and Amin's takes on the Pistons and Timberwolves' brawl and a brand new edition of Hot Streak! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've reached the Odds of March, that mythical time on the NBA calendar when truth is put on hold and chaos reigns. The Bulls, Suns, and Clippers are among the hottest teams in the league, while Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum are on the bench. Bronny is putting up star numbers (don't ask who he's playing) and Anthony Davis' return has given the Mavericks new hope. Plus, Amin and Izzy share some highlights from their trip to Miami with Akbar Domestique. Does Jimmy Butler deserve a statue? Which design is your favorite? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter or Threads @oddbalhoops. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Butler and the Warriors came up small in their first game in Miami since the trade deadline.. or maybe it just meant more to Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and the rest of the Heat. Plus, Izzy and Amin explore the works of sculptor Akbar Domestique and his efforts to get Jimmy Butler a statue outside of the Kaseya Center. Also, Damian Lillard's deep vein thrombosis diagnosis puts the Bucks' season in peril, and Kel'el Ware has our Icy Play of the Week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Butler makes his highly anticipated return to Miami as the Golden State Warriors take on the struggling Miami Heat. Amin and guest cohost Jeremy Tache reflect on Butler's time in South Beach, and analyze Draymond Green and Butler' differing takes on how much this game means. We close the show with the first-ever edition of Shot Clock, an NBA trivia tic-tac-toe game show from the mind of Jeremy Tache! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't be fooled by the standings or the calendar: Amin lets guest cohost Jeremy Tache know that the playoffs have already begun! The Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets are battling for the No. 2 seed in the West, while the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a brutal loss to the Chicago Bulls that may have knocked them out of contention. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder compete for the best record in the NBA to claim home court advantage in the Finals. Steph Curry’s injury raises concerns about the Golden State Warriors' chances of holding onto the No. 6 seed with the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers right on their heels. Plus, Jeremy gives his definitive take on the MVP race between Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and what "Most Improved Player" really means. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when every NBA team loses its best player? Amin and Izzy analyze how teams would perform without their biggest stars. They break down the New York Knicks without Jalen Brunson, the Los Angeles Lakers without LeBron James (not Luka Doncic), and the Milwaukee Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Does Oklahoma City become a lottery team without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? To close the show, ’tis the season: they fill out a bracket and decide which team would take first without its star. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing Statline Shuffle, a new game built for box-score watchers. Too bad Izzy and Amin grind tape! We give the statline, you guess the player. How did the Nuggets pull off a win over the Warriors without Jokic? And how did the Warriors pull off a win over the Bucks without Steph? Plus, we shout out Boston Celtic Baylor Schierman for our Iciest Play of the Week and play Prop-a-slot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Enough of these whippersnappers! Today Izzy and Amin are drafting teams of the best NBA players age 36 and older. The old heads have been hooping this year! You've got LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and... well actually the list kind of drops off after that, doesn't it? Tune in to see who else makes the cut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amin and Izzy play Odd One Out to discuss the hottest NBA storylines of the day, including the Cleveland Cavaliers’ surprising weaknesses despite their win streak, the Orlando Magic’s real MVP, and the Houston Rockets’ six-game surge. The Washington Wizards completed a stunning season sweep over Nikola Jokić’s Nuggets over the weekend. Should we be worried about Denver? Izzy has some notes for J.B. Bickerstaff after his all-time postgame rant. To close the show, Amin breaks down why the matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday was the saddest NBA game of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices