Hardwood Knocks

Since listeners sent in so many great questions the first time around, Hardwood Knocks runs it back for a second mailbag this week. Join Andy and Dan as they talk about LeBron James' legacy with the Lakers. Will his jersey be retired? Could he ever surpass Kobe Bryant in Lakers Lore? Plus: Tom Thibodeau's future in Minnesota, Carmelo Anthony officially joining the Rockets, a brief chat about the NBA's best duos, Jimmer Fredette's basketball future and so much more! As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on basically anywhere podcasts are offered. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

MAIL TIME! Hardwood Knocks is back and better than ever with its latest mailbag. Listeners were quite generous with their responses, so Andy and Dan ended up gallivanting all over the NBA and then back again.  As a sampling, this podcast's topics include: Jimmy Butler trade destinations; the Timberwolves' future; an Andrew Wiggins vs. Dante Exum debate; Kevin Durant's 2019 free agency; Tim Hardaway Jr.; the Knicks' free-agent appeal; the Thunder's wing rotation; Most Improved Player picks; MVP predictions; the Western Conference's playoff  melee; Gary Harris' development in Denver; and so much friggin' more. As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on basically anywhere podcasts are offered. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

Welcome to the debut of "Hardwood Knocks in 7(ish) Minutes or Less," a miniature version of the regular podcast in which we occasionally roll through audio versions of articles written for NBA Math. Dan kicks things off by taking a look at Carmelo Anthony's fit with the Rockets, his NBA legacy, and whether he can help a team win meaningful basketball games at this stage of his career. As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on basically anywhere podcasts are offered. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green are on their way to the Raptors in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poelt and 2019 first-round pick, according to ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski. Andy and Dan break down every aspect of the trade: Did the Spurs get enough? Will Kawhi stay in Toronto? How does this deal impact the Lakers and Clippers? How does DeRozan fit in with San Antonio? Plus, future outlooks for both the Spurs and Raptors, along with the next superstars who could reach the chopping block. As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on basically anywhere podcasts are offered. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

Although the NBA is still waiting on some pretty big free-agency dominoes to fall, enough has happened for us to pluck out the biggest winners and losers of this year's silly season. So, you know, let's do that! Andy and Dan end up running through the entire league while choosing from a vast pool of players and teams who have either owned or been owned during the offseason festivities. They also find time to discuss the impact of Carmelo Anthony joining the Rockets; the Jazz's big-picture plan; Isaiah Thomas' next destination; the Grizzlies' future and so much more! As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on basically anywhere podcasts are offered. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

NBA Math's Founder and Editor in Chief Adam Fromal (@fromal09) joins Hardwood Knocks to talk about his super-official GOAT rankings, replete with an objective overview of the 30 greatest players ever. Afterwards, he and Dan dive into current events, tackling everything from the post-LeBron Eastern Conference pecking order; Aaron Gordon's contract; Cleveland's future; Lakers stuff; Kawhi Leonard stuff; Karl-Anthony Towns' future in Minnesota; the Boston vs. Philly debate; and much, much more! As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher and BlogTalkRadio. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

Andy and Dan discuss LeBron James' decision to join the Lakers, whether it marks the end of his NBA title window, and how forfeiting cap space impacts LA's pursuit of Kawhi Leonard. Afterward, they dissect DeMarcus Cousins joining Warriors, and whether it actually means anything. Then, finally, they run through their predictions for the top 40 remaining free agents. As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher and BlogTalkRadio. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

The NBA's silly #SZN is officially upon us! LeBron James has opted out of his contract, officially making him an unrestricted free agent. This decision means a whole lot when looking at the context of his potential landing spots. Andy and Dan break down every angle of his latest foray onto the open market. From there, Hardwood Knocks' latest mailbag takes us...well, it takes use everywhere. Our covered topics include: Jabari Parker; the Bucks in general; the Lakers; Dante Exum; DeAndre Jordan; the Mavericks; the 76ers; the Bulls; the Kings; the Hawks; the Grizzlies; the Nuggets; Will Barton; Avery Bradley; Tyreke Evans; Brook Lopez; the Blazers; Dwight Howard; Paul George; and more! As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher and BlogTalkRadio. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

In the first part of this episode, Hardwood Knocks is joined by The Ringer's Haley O'Shaughnessy (@HaleyOSomething) to talk gut-feeling destinations for LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard. In the second part, Andy and Dan riff on their biggest draft takeaways, way-too-early Rookie of the Year picks, Carmelo Anthony's future in Oklahoma City and Nikola Jokic's upcoming free agency. As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher and BlogTalkRadio. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

Dwight Howard has a new home, again, for the sixth time of his career. Andy and Dan break down all the repercussions of the Hornets and Nets swapping Howard for Timofey Mozgov—including what it means for their cap figures, and for Kemba Walker's future in Charlotte. After that, the real fun begins, as they propose a bunch of draft-night trades for you to consider. What are the best potential Kawhi Leonard packages? Can the Bulls trade up into the top five? Should the Knicks consider trading for Chandler Parsons? What moves should the Clippers consider? All this and more is caked into one hypothetical-trade-drunk podcast. As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher and BlogTalkRadio. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

If you're fully prepared for Thursday's prospect pageant, well, hey, good for you! If not, you will be at the end of this podcast. The Stepien's Cole Zwicker (@colezwicker) joins Hardwood Knocks to discuss all things NBA draft. Along with Dan, he plows through a mailbag directed by you, our ever-awesome listeners, that covers Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, the Cavaliers, the Knicks, Shai Alexander, Mikal Bridges, Miles Bridges, Troy Brown, the Clippers, under-the-radar prospects, Mitchell Robinson, the Wizards, Kevin Huerter, Wendell Carter Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr., Michael Porter Jr., Zhaire Smith, Jacob Evans, Jontay Porter, Collin Sexton, De'Anthony Melton, Jalen Brunson, Elie Okobo, the Hawks, the 76ers and so much friggin' more.  Because this is a podcast of the people, Dan asks—pleads with, really—Cole to deliver his officially official predictions for whether the Spurs will trade Kawhi Leonard, and where LeBron James will end up signing in free agency.  Do yourself a favor and listen away—like, right now. You'll enrich your life, guaranteed.

NBA Draft #SZN is here, and Hardwood Knocks listeners were kind enough to gift us with a deluge of prospect questions. Andy and Dan talk about everything from the plummeting stocks of Luka Doncic and Trae Young, to the bizarre emphasis on big men, to potential high-end sleepers, to their 10 favorite prospects. (Spoiler alert: They're both exceptionally high on Jaren Jackson Jr., Zhaire Smith and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.) This mailbag journey does not stop at the draft, though. No, no, no. It takes us through the wild world of Chandler Parsons trades, LeBron James free-agency scenarios, Kobe Bryant debates, greatest-power-forward rankings, Dante Exum projections and even Jaylen Brown-or-Brandon Ingram fist fights. Oh, and you better believe there's a whole lot more than this is store. So strap in, settle down, and let's get weird.  As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher and BlogTalkRadio. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

The Cavs and LeBron have a lot to figure out after falling to the Warriors in four games during the NBA Finals. Hardwood Knocks breaks down the King's foray into free agency from every angle: Where will he fit best? Are the Lakers favorites? Could a dark horse emerge? What trades could the Cavs make to try keeping him? As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher and BlogTalkRadio. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

Who needs to talk about the inevitable end to the NBA Finals when there's an offseason to focus on? Not Hardwood Knocks, that's for sure. Andy and Dan (finally) get to discussing the offseason outlooks for the Rockets and Pelicans, complete with LeBron James, Chris Paul and DeMarcus Cousins scenarios galore. They also tackle the Sixers' future in the aftermath of Bryan Colangelo's exit and rap about a report from Yahoo Sports that the Celtics are worried about losing Kyrie Irving in free agency next summer. There might even be some Joe Harris appreciation talk as well. As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher and BlogTalkRadio. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

Hardwood Knocks takes stock of the NBA Finals with the Warriors leading the Cavaliers, 2-0, in this best-of-seven clash. Is Cleveland done? Will the Cavs give LeBron James help in Games 3 and 4 or nah? After that, Andy and Dan move onto their (delayed) postmortems for the Jazz and Celtics. Will Utah keep Dante Exum and Derrick Favors? Will it make any trades? Carve out any cap space? And as for the Celtics, can they afford Marcus Smart? Should they trade Terry Rozier? Will Gordon Hayward or Kyrie Irving be dealt in the next two years? Should Boston be the East's odds-on favorite next year? Finally, following all this, the Hardwood Knocks dudes discuss some late first-round draft prospects, along with the possibility of sign-and-trades making a comeback this summer. As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher and BlogTalkRadio. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.