Open Run

The day has finally arrived: Metta World Peace makes his Open Run debut! Stefan talks to the NYC basketball legend about how his game was influenced by growing up with the likes of Nas and Mobb Deep in Queensbridge, his time in LA with Kobe & Phil, his take on the state of both the Knicks and the Lakers—and, of course, the animal he'd most like to be.

Jesse and Stefan reconnect to break down one hell of a week in the world of sports. Then Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson joins the show to talk about what life is like with the up-and-coming squad, his goals for the year, and what to expect from the Lakeshow this season.

Stefan caught up with reigning Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon of the Milwaukee Bucks at The Meadows Music and Arts Festival last week to talk about what it's like playing for a legendary PG like Jason Kidd, the delicate art of pronouncing "Antetokounmpo," and the lasting power of Jay-Z and Nas.

Jesse and Stefan discuss Kyrie's game of interview dodgeball, KD's notorious tweets, and the weird world of social media. Then they answer your Open Run Hotline questions on topics like next season's MVP race, the finest nicknames of the '00s, and the best of the incoming rookie class.

This week: Jemele Hill makes a whole lot of sense, KD unveils some new kicks, and NBA fans are in an uproar about Melo's ESPN ranking! Then Robert Horry a.k.a. Big Shot Rob joins the show to talk about the coldest dude he ever played with, why he was shocked by Kyrie's trade request, and how he thinks Grandmama-era LJ is underrated. He also tells us which legendary coach gives the best halftime speeches—and reveals which one of his many big shots is his all-time favorite.

Stefan, Jesse, and Open Run's Special OKC Correspondent Garrett Colton tackle how to deal with the doldrums of the NBA offseason, the future of the Thunder, and whether or not Kyrie really believes the earth is flat.

Will this Warriors squad face any real challengers this decade? What are the ramifications of the Cavs-Celtics drama? Is there an added layer of meaning to the parking habits of Kristaps Porzingis?! Our Special Correspondent Nathaniel Rich helps us unpack it all on this week's Open Run.

Jesse and Stefan talk to Taj Gibson about reuniting with his old teammate Jimmy Butler in Minnesota, making the transition from young buck to seasoned veteran, and the time a little Knicks talk took his relationship with Coach Tom Thibodeau to a whole new level. Trainer Travelle Gaines also joins the show to shed light on what pro trainers do to help players deal with the rigors of the NBA, and just how all these epic offseason pickup games come together.

We talk to new Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope about how he's liking LA so far, and what it feels like to be called "bread from heaven" by his new team. Then we ask him about the hardest player to guard in the NBA and his go-to pregame soundtrack before workshopping some new nickname ideas together.

We've got three, count 'em THREE guests for you this week! First, The Undefeated's senior NBA writer Marc Spears tells us about his fantastic times at the NBA Africa Game, and why he left Harrison Barnes's wedding before any infamous dance sequences occurred. Then legendary NBA badass Kenyon Martin checks in to talk about his undefeated Big 3 Squad, where he thinks his former teammate Melo will end up, and the best trash talkers he's ever met. And we talk to Jeff Chen, organizer of the NYC Jam (sponsored by Bleacher Report), about the new basketball tourney that pits the nation's best high school ballers against each other in an NBA Jam-inspired, full-court, 2-on-2 battle. BOOMSHAKALAKA!

What is the greatest high school basketball team of all time? Many would argue it was the Dunbar Poets of the early '80s, which featured future NBA players Muggsy Bogues, Reggie Lewis, David Wingate, and Reggie Williams. Director Sheldon Candis joins us to talk about his upcoming documentary about the team, "Baltimore Boys," and then the legendary Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues tells us what it was like being part of that celebrated squad, the secret to making it in the NBA at 5'3", and the time he blocked Manute Bol in a game of one-on-one.

Former Milwaukee Buck and Cleveland Cavalier Larry Sanders joins the show to talk about why he first stepped away from the NBA, his decision to join the Cavs this past spring, and why he wasn't actually all that surprised by Kyrie Irving's trade request.

Carmelo Anthony wants to leave the Knicks and join the Rockets, but can the two teams actually make that happen? Does Lonzo Ball's Summer League MVP win mean he's going to turn the NBA into the BBA? And then: a story about a man ripping off NBA players by masquerading as Adele's manager inspires Stefan to share his own tale about the worst compulsive liar he ever met.

The guys return from vacation to answer this, and other pressing questions! Will Paul George end up on the Lakers? Will LeBron join him there? Will Melo soon be a Houston resident? Are we going to do color commentary at a Lakers practice soon?! Don't you worry—all your questions shall be answered on this week's installment of Open Run, the baddest hoops podcast in the business.

Well, it's safe to say we didn't see this trade coming: Paul George is joining reigning MVP Russell Westbrook on the Oklahoma City Thunder! Moments after the news broke, Jesse and Stefan got Open Run's OKC correspondent Garrett Colton on the phone to see how people are feeling in Oklahoma City, a.k.a. Action City, and to talk about how this might change the Thunder's standing in the West next season.