Preseason essentially means nothing, but it’s still fun to see that the Bulls’ new backcourt is killing it, that very big man Boban Marjanovic is leading the league in points per minute, and that Mo Bamba appears to have turned over a new leaf. Also, the Lakers remain old, the Heat are interesting, and Jarod crushes the dreams of swim parents everywhere. RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* FRIDAY October 8, 2021 Celebrating 75 years of the NBA, who would complete the NBA 50 team?* MONDAY October 4, 2021 TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe dig deep into the Ben Simmons situation—What is the real problem?* FRIDAY October 1, 2021 The side effects of “dumb jock” syndrome.* TUESDAY September 28, 2021 There’s something special about Spurs rookie Josh Primo. Why does Todd Ramasar call him a unicorn?* MONDAY September 27, 2021 David lists his eight contenders for the 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

Today on BRING IT IN, TrueHoop’s David Thorpe and Jarod Hector talk about the state of the NBA this preseason.* Celebrating 75 years of the NBA, who would complete the NBA 50 team? David thinks Jokic already belongs on the list. * The distraction that is Kyrie Irving’s vaccine refusal. Maybe they don’t need him. * The high stakes game of chicken Ben Simmons is playing. RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* MONDAY October 4, 2021 TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe dig deep into the Ben Simmons situation—What is the real problem?* FRIDAY October 1, 2021 The side effects of “dumb jock” syndrome.* TUESDAY September 28, 2021 There’s something special about Spurs rookie Josh Primo. Why does Todd Ramasar call him a unicorn?* MONDAY September 27, 2021 David lists his eight contenders for the title.* FRIDAY September 24, 2021 A need to purify the Timberwolves franchise in the waters of Lake Minnetonka. 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

Today on BRING IT IN, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe dig deep into the Ben Simmons situation—What is the real problem? Is this limbo period harmful to the rest of the 76ers’ roster? How good are the 76ers without Ben Simmons? What is the solution?But all that came after a speed round of:* What did we learn from the Nets’ crushing the Lakers in the preseason’s first game?* The Pacers’ injuries that mess with one Simmons trade option.* Don’t count on the Clippers to rush Kawhi back.* Was the Jazz roster the problem?* The Spurs are positioned to make a deal.* The NBA’s vaccination debate takes a turn.RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* FRIDAY October 1, 2021 The side effects of “dumb jock” syndrome.* TUESDAY September 28, 2021 There’s something special about Spurs rookie Josh Primo. Why does Todd Ramasar call him a unicorn? * MONDAY September 27, 2021 David lists his eight contenders for the title.* FRIDAY September 24, 2021 A need to purify the Timberwolves franchise in the waters of Lake Minnetonka. 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

Today on BRING IT IN, TrueHoop’s David Thorpe and Jarod Hector discuss personal choices about vaccination intersecting with public health. * The side effects of “dumb jock” syndrome. * Is Bradley Beal’s case for refusing vaccination compelling?* David disapproves of one of the NBA’s new foul rules changes. He thinks it’s important to punish defensive players who jump when they’re not supposed to. * Kevin Durant or Zion Williamson for MVP?RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* FRIDAY September 24, 2021 A need to purify the Timberwolves franchise in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.* FRIDAY September 17, 2021 How did David’s article about Ben Simmons trade scenarios explode on Twitter?* MONDAY September 13, 2021 Apollo Global, the NBA, and Jeffrey Epstein.* FRIDAY September 10, 2021 The short list of teams with a real chance at a title.* FRIDAY September 3, 2021 Parakeets and the magical power of Klutch. 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

Today on BRING IT IN, we have TrueHoop Coachspeak. (This is where we let David geek out, using basketball terms that might alienate my mom. Pretty sure today’s episode has at least one “DHO.”)TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe spoke with Todd Ramasar, the founder of Life Sports Agency, and the agent to the likes of Baron Davis, Pascal Siakam, Josh Primo, Thomas Bryant, and one of David’s favorite players, Kevon Looney.* Todd has long dedicated a ton of resources to offseason player development. Why is that his approach? It’s unusual. * Todd updates on the current state of Pascal Siakam, who had a COVID-funky last season but is on track, he says, to do mind-blowing things this season. What’s his ceiling? “MVP” says Todd, in a way that comes off remarkably unsalesy.* There’s something special about Spurs rookie Josh Primo. Why does Todd call him a unicorn?* Thomas Bryant won’t be ready to start the season, but isn’t far away and looks tremendous. RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* FRIDAY September 24, 2021 A need to purify the Timberwolves franchise in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.* FRIDAY September 17, 2021 How did David’s article about Ben Simmons trade scenarios explode on Twitter?* MONDAY September 13, 2021 Apollo Global, the NBA, and Jeffrey Epstein.* FRIDAY September 10, 2021 The short list of teams with a real chance at a title.* FRIDAY September 3, 2021 Parakeets and the magical power of Klutch.* MONDAY August 30, 2021 Co-founder and president of Overtime, Zack Weiner talks about creating a “superleague” for the next generation of elite basketball players.  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

Today on BRING IT IN, TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott and David Thorpe are joined by Jarod Hector on location at Nets media day—and we wonder what Kevin Durant is saying to Kyrie Irving about vaccinations. (Also, check out this excellent story about anti-vaxxers in the NBA.) * David lists his eight contenders for the title. * If David Stern were still commissioner, don’t you think the NBA would have a tougher, clearer vaccination policy?* Is hoarding cap space to sign free agents a dead strategy—because superstars can get wherever they want to go while under contract? RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* FRIDAY September 24, 2021 A need to purify the Timberwolves franchise in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.* FRIDAY September 17, 2021 How did David’s article about Ben Simmons trade scenarios explode on Twitter?* MONDAY September 13, 2021 Apollo Global, the NBA, and Jeffrey Epstein.* FRIDAY September 10, 2021 The short list of teams with a real chance at a title.* FRIDAY September 3, 2021 Parakeets and the magical power of Klutch.* MONDAY August 30, 2021 Co-founder and president of Overtime, Zack Weiner talks about creating a “superleague” for the next generation of elite basketball players. * FRIDAY August 27, 2021 Jarod asked David to put on his “Ted Lasso” hat and address where Ben Simmons belongs. 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

Today on BRING IT IN, TrueHoop’s David Thorpe and Jarod Hector talk about what one subscriber said was a need to purify the Timberwolves franchise in the waters of Lake Minnetonka. * Jarod and David talked about how the league suffers when there’s petty or salacious scandal in the management ranks.* David on the human tragedy of Ben Simmons. He thinks it’s borderline sadistic how he’s been treated.* What are the chances that John Wall gets traded?RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* FRIDAY September How did David’s article about Ben Simmons trade scenarios explode on Twitter?* MONDAY September 13, 2021 Apollo Global, the NBA, and Jeffrey Epstein.* FRIDAY September 10, 2021 The short list of teams with a real chance at a title.* FRIDAY September 3, 2021 Parakeets and the magical power of Klutch.* MONDAY August 30, 2021 Co-founder and president of Overtime, Zack Weiner talks about creating a “superleague” for the next generation of elite basketball players. * FRIDAY August 27, 2021 Jarod asked David to put on his “Ted Lasso” hat and address where Ben Simmons belongs.* MONDAY August 23, 2021 TrueHoop kicks off a project for the new year: TrueHoop Coachspeak, where we get into the nitty gritty of the X’s and O’s. 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

Today on BRING IT IN, TrueHoop’s Jarod Hector, David Thorpe, and Henry Abbott discuss the huge alligator patrolling David’s neighborhood, sensational “journalism,” John Wall, and:* How did David’s article about Ben Simmons trade scenarios explode on Twitter?* Who’s not vaccinated in the NBA? And why does Jarod think this is similar to condoms?* They discuss Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s belief that “OGOAT” is a better discussion than GOAT. RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* MONDAY September 13, 2021 Apollo Global, the NBA, and Jeffrey Epstein.* FRIDAY September 10, 2021 The short list of teams with a real chance at a title.* FRIDAY September 3, 2021 Parakeets and the magical power of Klutch.* MONDAY August 30, 2021 Co-founder and president of Overtime, Zack Weiner talks about creating a “superleague” for the next generation of elite basketball players. * FRIDAY August 27, 2021 Jarod asked David to put on his “Ted Lasso” hat and address where Ben Simmons belongs.* MONDAY August 23, 2021 TrueHoop kicks off a project for the new year: TrueHoop Coachspeak, where we get into the nitty gritty of the X’s and O’s.* FRIDAY August 20, 2021 Who’ll be dominating the NBA in five years? 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

Today on BRING IT IN TrueHoop’s David Thorpe asks Henry Abbott about his in-depth, multi-part TrueHoop series on Apollo Global, the NBA, and Jeffrey Epstein. (Last week there was a post about Hitler!) What the hell is going on? And then … is there possibly a way to, in this same episode, discuss potential Ben Simmons and Bradley Beal trades? RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* FRIDAY September 10, 2021 The short list of teams with a real chance at a title.* FRIDAY September 3, 2021 Parakeets and the magical power of Klutch.* MONDAY August 30, 2021 Co-founder and president of Overtime, Zack Weiner talks about creating a “superleague” for the next generation of elite basketball players. * FRIDAY August 27, 2021 Jarod asked David to put on his “Ted Lasso” hat and address where Ben Simmons belongs.* MONDAY August 23, 2021 TrueHoop kicks off a project for the new year: TrueHoop Coachspeak, where we get into the nitty gritty of the X’s and O’s.* FRIDAY August 20, 2021 Who’ll be dominating the NBA in five years?* MONDAY August 16, 2021 Amazingly, there’s a player David loves more than Scottie Barnes. 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

Today on a BRING IT IN, TrueHoop’s David Thorpe and Jarod Hector discuss:* The teams that Vegas is overlooking (Suns!) and overrating (Celtics!).* Chris Webber’s career, and why his whole Michigan team should be in the Hall.* The short list of teams with a real chance at a title.RECENT BRING IT IN EPISODES:* FRIDAY September 3, 2021 Parakeets and the magical power of Klutch.* MONDAY August 30, 2021 Co-founder and president of Overtime, Zack Weiner talks about creating a “superleague” for the next generation of elite basketball players. * FRIDAY August 27, 2021 Jarod asked David to put on his “Ted Lasso” hat and address where Ben Simmons belongs.* MONDAY August 23, 2021 TrueHoop kicks off a project for the new year: TrueHoop Coachspeak, where we get into the nitty gritty of the X’s and O’s.* FRIDAY August 20, 2021 Who’ll be dominating the NBA in five years?* MONDAY August 16, 2021 Amazingly, there’s a player David loves more than Scottie Barnes.* FRIDAY August 6, 2021 Henry’s latest piece on the new Netflix documentary on the Malice in the Palace and the winners and losers of free agency this season. 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