Will NBA players be in Tokyo for the Summer Olympics? Marc Stein, NBA reporter for The New York Times, analyzed how the new Olympic dates will impact USA Basketball. Plus Marc and Tom discussed the health-and-safety hurdles that need to be cleared before the NBA season returns.7:30 The whirlwind of the season being shutdown11:31 Biggest Premier League fan in the NBA25:45 Options the NBA is exploring at this moment34:06 Potential NBA calendar and its impact on Olympics participation47:01 How different the NBA Draft and evaluation will be this yearLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tomthefinder.com/subscribe

What is life like for basketball players stuck in Italy during the coronavirus pandemic? Michael Roll, who reached three Final Fours with UCLA, described being under a total lockdown while playing for Olimpia Milano. Plus he discussed how his family is preparing to welcome their first child at a time when Italian hospitals are so overwhelmed. 1:35 Scene in Italy7:51 Reaction of NBA vs. EuroLeague9:44 Playing against someone who tested positive13:01 Expecting his first child in early May19:21 Playing with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love at UCLALearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tomthefinder.com/subscribe

What did Andy Larsen do after Rudy Gobert touched his microphone in the now-infamous press conference? Larsen, the Utah Jazz beat writer for The Salt Lake City Tribune, discussed finding out that Gobert tested positive for coronavirus and having to take the test himself. Then Eric Chemi, CNBC’s Sports Business reporter, analyzed the financial ramifications of the NBA suspending its season and which teams will be affected the most. Andy Larsen (1:01)5:35 Rudy Gobert’s now-infamous press conference8:41 Learning Gobert was sidelined with an “illness”16:50 Taking the coronavirus test23:10 The conflict between Gobert and Donovan Mitchell31:11 Larsen’s incredible story about his heart-rate monitor Eric Chemi (36:46)44:41 The ways coronavirus will affect NBA revenue49:51 Why the NBA was slow to shut down the season55:10 Next season’s salary capLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tomthefinder.com/subscribe

When will NBA players return to the court? Tom Haberstroh discussed the coronavirus’ impact on the NBA with Howard Beck, Bleacher Report’s senior NBA writer and host of The Full 48 podcast. 2:12 Why the NBA made the right decision9:35 The reasonable bar for players to get tested12:40 Interactions with Rudy Gobert 24:11 Next steps for NBA31:01 Possible NBA timeline for the next monthLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tomthefinder.com/subscribe

How is Seattle reacting to the coronavirus? Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird discussed precautions and the possibility of playing in front of empty stadiums. Plus Bird, a three-time WNBA champion and four-time Olympic champion, revealed why she is endorsing a CBD brand.1:50 Smartphone addiction 2:55 How Seattle is reacting to coronavirus6:05 Being one of the first athletes to endorse a CBD brand17:40 The importance of sleep 20:42 Why 40 is the new 30Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tomthefinder.com/subscribe

Just like in NBA Jam, players who make a couple of shots in a row catch on fire, right? Tom Haberstroh discusses the “hot hand” with Ben Cohen, author of the new book “The Hot Hand: The Mystery and Science of Streak.” Cohen, who covers the NBA for The Wall Street Journal, uses players like Stephen Curry to explore whether there really is such a thing as being in the zone. Plus Cohen and Haberstroh, who will both speak at the 2020 MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, preview the topics attendees will be buzzing about. 6:01 Stephen Curry as the embodiment of the “hot hand”12:03 Red Auerbach's thoughts on the “hot hand”21:07 Important lessons from Cohen’s book30:19 Previewing the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference 38:07 The hottest anyone has been on an NBA courtLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tomthefinder.com/subscribe

Does the NBA need to change its stance on marijuana? Tom Haberstroh and NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole reveal what they learned after interviewing a number of NBA players including Al Harrington, Andre Iguodala, Stephen Jackson and Brian Shaw for their column “Marijuana and the NBA: Erasing the stigma and healing the league,” which you can read at NBCSports.com/Haberstroh. Plus Poole, the host of the Runnin’ Plays podcast, discussed being in Los Angeles for Kobe Bryant’s memorial and previewed Stephen Curry’s return to court. 2:35 Stephen Jackson and “The Program”12:07 Brian Shaw’s cannabis party21:10 David Stern’s stance on banned substance list 36:29 Kobe Bryant’s memorial 46:11 Should Stephen Curry be returning to the court? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tomthefinder.com/subscribe

How do you coach LeBron James? Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel sat down with Tom Haberstroh at NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago to discuss what the Lakers need to do to win the NBA title. Plus Vogel told the story of how he ended up on the Stupid Human Tricks segment with David Letterman as a 13-year-old prodigy at spinning a basketball. 1:10 Being on David Letterman as a 13-year-old5:36 Best trick-shot artist on the Lakers 14:40 Where he was when he heard the Kobe news19:07 Becoming the coach of the Lakers21:12 First meeting with LeBron JamesLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tomthefinder.com/subscribe

When did Mark Cuban know Luka Doncic could be a franchise player? The Dallas Mavericks owner sat down with Tom Haberstroh in a hotel lounge at NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago to discuss scouting, drafting and building around the 20-year-old All-Star. Plus Cuban revealed what he learned talking basketball with Barack Obama and Donald Trump, as well as his own political aspirations. 2:22 When Cuban knew Luka could be a franchise player8:53 Why Cuban follows certain players on social media 11:34 The need to monetize NBA highlights24:12 Will Mark Cuban run for president?25:22 Talking basketball with Obama and TrumpLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tomthefinder.com/subscribe

Tom Haberstroh sat down three special guests for a LIVE podcast at the Highline Bar in Downtown Chicago to celebrate NBA All-Star Weekend. Orlando Magic star Aaron Gordon previewed his appearance in the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and reflected on his unforgettable matchup with Zach LaVine in the 2016 competition. Tom Thibodeau relived his glory years coaching the Chicago Bulls and discussed his coaching future. Plus Chicago native Richaun Holmes returned to the Windy City—with his proud mom Dr. Lydecia Holmes—to tell the hometown fans about blossoming as a promising young big for the Sacramento Kings.4:48 Gordon on the importance of winning the Dunk Contest11:30 Gordon on his difficulties of participating in the 2017 Dunk Contest22:49 Thibodeau on the 2011 Bulls who lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to Miami30:04 Thibodeau on remembering Kobe Bryant50:30 Holmes on playing alongside De’Aaron Fox & Buddy HieldLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tomthefinder.com/subscribe