The Athletic NBA Show The Athletic

Basket Buds
Zach Harper is joined by The Athletic's Will Guillory and Dave DuFour to preview the loaded Play-in matchups between the 76ers and the Heat, Hawks and Bulls, Lakers and Pelicans, and the Warriors and the Kings. They debate who has the most to lose by not advancing, and look ahead to dabble in the matchups that are already set for the playoffs. The best time of year is here!
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Slam and Jam
Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers recap the week that was in the NBA, discuss the Slam and Jam end of season awards (the Slammys), and then Keith Parish of Gritz and Grindz joins to discuss the Grizzlies and their season they end with a fun edition of Andrew vs. The Beat.
1) “I wasn’t familiar with your game” Award
a. This award goes to the player whose ceiling changed the most this year compared to how we felt about them coming into the season
2) Prepare for Takeoff Award
a. This award goes to the player who we believe is most primed to take a massive leap next season (similar to Haliburton, Maxey, Barnes, Ant, etc. this season)
3) The Rollercoaster Award
a. This award goes to the team who we changed our opinion on the most violently this season.
4) The Time Traveler from August 2024 Award
a. A time traveler shows up from August 2024. They only have time to tell you about what happened to one team this upcoming offseason (draft, free agency, trades). This award goes to the team we’d pick.
5) Stat of the Season
a. This award goes to the stat that we still can’t believe is real.
6) Anti-League Pass Team of the Year Award
a. This award goes to the team that we watched the least.
7) NBA Beat Reporter of the Year
a. This award goes to the beat reporter/team podcaster who we thought had the best season
8) Best Take of the Year
a. This award goes to the take we are most proud of.
9) Worst Take of the Year
a. This award goes to the take we are most embarrassed by.
10) Bold Prediction for the NBA Playoffs
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Tampering
Sam Amick and Anthony Slater are joined by The Athletic's Marcus Thompson to talk about how the Warriors may be surging at the right time. The guys also look at how the playoff picture is shaping up.
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Nerder
Seth Partnow, Mo Dakhil, and Dave DuFour react to Adam Silver’s statements on officiating changes and then answer listener questions. What is Jason Kidd’s strength as a coach? Should Chris Finch be Coach of the Year? What should the Spurs do around Victor Wembanyama this summer? Naz Reid? 
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Hoops Adjacent
David Aldridge and Marcus Thompson envision an NBA Playoffs without LeBron James and Steph Curry, discuss their favored playoff matchups, and discuss the awards races. Are the young teams destined to disappoint in the playoffs? What's the most compelling series possible? Will the Celtics get shut out of regular season awards?
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Buds
Zach Harper, Jay King and Josh Huestis discuss All-NBA selections, and who might be missing from them. The guys also look at teams that need to have a bit of a 'Gut check'. And the return of 'Plant Your Flag'.
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