TrueHoop

At a critical juncture of the NBA Finals, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe spend an hour on what matters:What’s with the Warriors’ Cuisinart offense? David thinks it’s been unplugged by Ime Udoka.Why has Draymond Green been so ineffective? There’s a lot of story to that one.And what is going on with Kevon Looney in this chart?On BRING IT IN, David Thorpe explains: We're seeing a lot of frantic possessions. When I say a lot, I don't mean 55 percent, but more than three percent, more than five percent. None of the Boston Celtics guys have been here. A good portion of the Warriors that are playing have not been in the Finals before. But Looney is part of that core four, he's the fourth guy. He's the Fourth Musketeer in a sense. And, an example of how he's not being changed by the pressure of the moment, and the defense, was late in Game 4, in the final three minutes. I think Draymond was in the game, I think they blitz Curry up top, he hits Draymond a short roll, which is a very common thing. Green throws at beautiful bounce pass, kind of a high-low pass, in the paint to Looney. And Looney just patiently fakes and pauses, and then has a great left-hand finish. It's not the hardest thing in the world. But he didn't rush it. And we've seen these guys rushed, so many plays. Tatum rushed a very important slip screen in the fourth quarter. And instead of landing on two feet, and strongly going up over helping Klay Thompson, he kind of threw up what I call a hope shot, hoping it would go in.Looney did nothing like that. He just settled in, used his fakes, and finished. And I think that's very symbolic or representative of what we're seeing from him. A two-way player who values setting screens, because he's not thinking about popping! That may change one day. But he is setting real screens like Draymond is. He's making simple plays on both ends. He's their best low-post defender right now. As a helper, he's got size and had a big blocked shot in the fourth quarter. So all that adds up to, I think, a guy that Boston's not really been able to solve.RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* June 10, 2022 Forcing your opponent to do what you want* June 6, 2022 We have a series* June 3, 2022 Celtics take Game 1 with excellent 4th* May 27, 2022 Coach and NBA player trainer Charlie Torres* May 23, 2022 Warriors inevitability and trading blows with the Celtics and Heat This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss:* Sportswashing and the new LIV golf tour.* David realizes that the Celtics are baiting the Warriors into heliocentric offense.* What’s the deal with Draymond Green? Why can’t he string together consecutive good games? Jarod has an idea.* Stephen Curry has been great through three quarters of every game and not so great in the fourth. Can the Warriors fix that? David has an idea. RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* June 6, 2022 We have a series* June 3, 2022 Celtics take Game 1 with excellent 4th* May 27, 2022 Coach and NBA player trainer Charlie Torres* May 23, 2022 Warriors inevitability and trading blows with the Celtics and Heat* May 20, 2022 Blowouts in the conference finals and the draft combine This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe talk about the Warriors win in Game 2 of the NBA Finals:* David describes the five-minute stretch of the third quarter that decided Game 2* Is Gary Payton II the key?* David and Henry have a lot of love for Celtics head coach Ime Udoka* Henry and David disagree about what makes an MVP, and Jarod Hector plays referee. You decide who won …RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* June 3, 2022 Celtics take Game 1 with excellent 4th* May 27, 2022 Coach and NBA player trainer Charlie Torres* May 23, 2022 Warriors inevitability and trading blows with the Celtics and Heat* May 20, 2022 Blowouts in the conference finals and the draft combine* May 16, 2022 Crazy game 7s, elite play, and coaching This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Warriors.* It looked like the “Thorpe Rule” was activated after the Warriors’ masterful third quarter, but then the Celtics amped up their defense and made tons of shots in the fourth. How did that happen?* It’s a coach’s league as well as a player’s league. What makes the Celtics’ Ime Udoka so special?* Stephen Curry looked brilliant in the first quarter and only scored 13 the rest of the game. David believes Boston’s size played a big role and will be tough to overcome. * Draymond Green thinks Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and Derrick White won’t shoot a combined 15-23 again. He’s probably right but Jarod and David think that’s a bad way to look at the series. RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* May 23, 2022 Warriors inevitability and trading blows with the Celtics and Heat* May 20, 2022 Blowouts in the conference finals and the draft combine* May 16, 2022 Crazy Game 7s, elite play, and coaching* May 13, 2022 Ugliness in Philly, Mavs force Game 7* May 9, 2022 "Don't Trust Your Gut" author Seth Stephens-Davidowitz This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector is joined by basketball coach and NBA player trainer Charlie Torres. Charlie grew up in Southern California, a hotbed for basketball talent, and has worked with some of the best players in the NBA, including Klay Thompson.They discuss:* How Charlie got his start in the business* What it’s like working out Klay Thompson* Stories from the Warriors trip to China where important passports were lost, including head coach Steve Kerr* Shooting contests between Klay and Kevin Durant* Working out 2022 NBA Draft prospect Bennedict Mathurin RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* May 23, 2022 Warriors inevitability and trading blows with the Celtics and Heat* May 20, 2022 Blowouts in the conference finals and the draft combine* May 16, 2022 Crazy game 7s, elite play, and coaching* May 13, 2022 Ugliness in Philly, Mavs force Game 7* May 9, 2022 "Don't Trust Your Gut" author Seth Stephens-Davidowitz This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss:* Warriors taking a 3-0 lead in the conference finals. Jarod is ready to bury the Mavericks, David says not so fast. * Why is the Warriors’ “Cuisinart” offense so brilliant and difficult for other teams to emulate? David has some thoughts. * Jarod and David give Andrew Wiggins some love. * Celtics vs. Heat is a bloodbath, are we still favoring the Celtics?* The Heat are so well coached and David likes that. * Bam Adebayo played well in game three, can he do it again?RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* May 20, 2022 Blowouts in the conference finals and the draft combine* May 16, 2022 Crazy game 7s, elite play, and coaching* May 13, 2022 Ugliness in Philly, Mavs force Game 7* May 9, 2022 "Don't Trust Your Gut" author Seth Stephens-Davidowitz* May 6, 2022 The one with Kevin Arnovitz... This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector, and David Thorpe discuss:* The Celtics destroyed the Heat in game 2 of the conference finals. David Thorpe thinks they are the best team in the league and Jarod agrees. Is this the Celtics year?* Jarod appreciates the visceral way that weaknesses get exposed in the playoffs. David breaks it down from a player perspective. How does he coach his players to exploit weaknesses in their opponents?* The Warriors enforced the “Luka Rules” in game one. Can that continue for the series? David thinks so, but also says the Mavericks and Coach Jason Kidd can scheme up some things. * The Draft Combine is currently underway in Chicago. Our Henry Abbott is there. What’s really going on in the Chi?* Kevin Durant has thoughts on what makes someone the best player in the world. So does David. RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* May 16, 2022 Crazy game 7s, elite play, and coaching* May 13, 2022 Ugliness in Philly, Mavs force Game 7* May 9, 2022 "Don't Trust Your Gut" author Seth Stephens-Davidowitz* May 6, 2022 The one with Kevin Arnovitz...* May 2, 2022 Adjusting in the playoffs This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott, Jarod Hector, and David Thorpe discuss:* How the Celtics defeated the Bucks in Game 7 thanks to a team approach that let them celebrate not just stars, but wide open Grant Williams.* Luka Doncic was excellent in the Mavericks Game 7 win over the Suns. How has Jason Kidd coached him to be more like LeBron James and less like James Harden?* The Suns made some tactical errors according to Thorpe—and their stars didn’t get the ball early and often to Deandre Ayton.* Everyone’s picks for the conference finals.RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* May 13, 2022 Ugliness in Philly, Mavs force Game 7* May 9, 2022 "Don't Trust Your Gut" author Seth Stephens-Davidowitz* May 6, 2022 The one with Kevin Arnovitz...* May 2, 2022 Adjusting in the playoffs* April 29, 2022 In the NBA playoffs all you need is love? This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss:* Philadelphia 76ers failed to advance past the second round for the fourth time in five years. There is a lot of blame to go around, and everyone deserves some. Where do they go from here? Jarod and David have a Camp Morey idea…* The Dallas Mavericks forced a Game 7 and Coach Jason Kidd has to get a lot of the credit according to David Thorpe. Jarod is worried that Mikal Bridges is out of gas.* The Memphis Grizzlies are playing the three-time champion Golden State Warriors and are down 3-2. But they have hope, belief, and Steven Adams. * The Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks series is the only series where NBA Finals level defense is being played according to David Thorpe. Does he favor the remaining East teams over the west?RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* May 9, 2022 "Don't Trust Your Gut" author Seth Stephens-Davidowitz* May 6, 2022 The one with Kevin Arnovitz...* May 2, 2022 Adjusting in the playoffs* April 29, 2022 In the NBA playoffs all you need is love?* April 25, 2022 Playoff series change on a dime... This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of BRING IT IN TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott is joined by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, the author of “Don't Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life”Seth is a serious academic who has spent his adult life marinating in data. He’s also a huge sports fan, whose book has a surprising amount of NBA insight. * He has data suggesting that genes play a bigger role in making it in the NBA than in other sports. * He cites a groundbreaking study about human happiness, which finds playing basketball probably makes people very happy, but watching basketball less so. To improve his own happiness, he has actually tried to be less of a fan of an NBA team. Also, he’s a Knicks fan. * And there’s big evidence that working with your friends makes you like work a lot better. Is that an argument for stars assembling teams of people they like?RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* May 6, 2022 The one with Kevin Arnovitz...* May 2, 2022 Adjusting in the playoffs* April 29, 2022 In the NBA playoffs all you need is love?* April 25, 2022 Playoff series change on a dime...* April 22, 2022 Injuries will decide the NBA title This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices