Episodes
Eric Smith & Paul Jones share there thoughts on the MVP award, and why they think the NBA got it wrong. The guys are then joined by longtime NBA executive Ed Stefanski. They get into his thoughts on the MVP award. Then his thoughts on how both the Timberwolves and Nuggets were put together. The guys then get into Ed's thoughts on Zach Edey and if he can fit into the modern NBA. Eric and Paul are the joined by 2014 Big 10 player of the year & former NBA player Nik Stauskas. They get...
Published 05/09/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are joined by NBA champion & former NBA head coach Lionel Hollins! The guys go over his memories and role in Portland's 1977 championship. Next, Hollins unpacks what it's like coaching in the playoffs and what goes into game planning. After that, how can the Lakers retool after being eliminated by the Nuggets yet again? The guys then get into what Lionel is seeing from the Mavs, and Knicks and discuss if they are legit title contenders. Eric and Paul then get his...
Published 05/02/24
Published 05/02/24
Eric Smith & Paul Jones are back breaking down all the action from the NBA playoffs! Guys are joined by ESPN's and New York Knick radio announcer Monica McNutt to breakdown everything going on in the big apple. Is she surprised by the Knicks start? How are they doing all this without Julius Randle? And is Joel Embiid leaving anything to be desired? The LA time's Dan Woike then joins the guys to share his thoughts on Lakers-Nuggets. Why does it seem like the Nuggets own them? And is there...
Published 04/25/24
Eric Smith & Paul Jones are back to wrap up the 2023-24 Raptors season. The guys are joined by Sportsnet Raptors analyst Alvin Williams as they look back at the high's and low's from the season. Eric and Paul then listen to Masai Ujiri end of season availability and talk about what they expect in the offseason. They then hear from Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley, before offering there final thoughts for the season (33:42). The views and opinions expressed in this...
Published 04/18/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are joined by former NCAA and NBA head coach, and current NBA on ESPN radio analyst, P.J. Carlesimo! He shares some of his memories his time with Seton Hall and their trip to the Final 4. How did he prepare them to play Duke? What did he say at halftime when they were down? The guys then pivot to the 2024 NCAA tournament and what P.J. thinks the future holds for Zach Edey. Later on, they discuss who's leading the NBA MVP race and if anyone can stop a Denver-Boston...
Published 04/11/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are back with a special edition of Smith & Jones! With the news of Vince Carter's induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the guys are joined by his former teammate Muggsy Bogues to look back on his time in Toronto. Was he often under appreciated? Did his love of basketball get lost in the shuffle? How impressive was he in practice? Muggsy also offers some thoughts on the current NBA season and how he sees it shaking out. Later on, Sportsnet's...
Published 04/04/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are back with a brand new episode! The guys are joined by Front Office Sports Reporter, Alex Schiffer to talk about his reporting on the situation. What happened exactly and how big will the consequences be? Alex has covered the Porter brothers since high school, did he ever see something like this happen? Eric and Paul then get into their own thoughts on it and what the fallout could be for all of sports. Guys shift gears and talk to Canada basketball CEO Michael...
Published 03/28/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are back with another loaded edition of Smith & Jones! Canadian men's national team Head Coach Jordi Fernández joins the guys off the hop to recap the Olympic group draw. Jordi also talks about the impact former national team coaches Jay Triano and Nick Nurse have had on the program and discusses how the perception of Canada basketball has changed internationally. Finally, the guys get into what the roster could look like this summer. Next, Eric and Paul are...
Published 03/21/24
Eric Smith & Paul Jones are back with a special episode this week! Leigh Ellis joins the guys from Brazil, the latest stop in Ellis' '20 games in 20 Cities' basketball tour. How has Leigh found travelling the world and trying to play 20 pickup games in 20 different cities? What's he learned not only about himself, but about the game of basketball and how do different players play in different parts of the world? The guys also touch on Leigh's original goal for this journey and ask him...
Published 03/14/24
Eric Smith & Paul Jones are back with a new episode! They are joined by former assistant GM and current player agent Noah Croom! The guys go over how the pipeline to the NBA has changed with Noah. From the development of young players to the influx of Europeans, are we in a worse position now? How has the way referees are calling games impacted the offensive explosion we are currently seeing? The guys also go over some of the memories of the Vancouver Grizzlies, and whether or not...
Published 03/07/24
Eric Smith & Paul Jones are back with another edition of Smith & Jones! 16-year NBA vet and Dallas Mavericks commentator Derek Harper joins the guys to go over his thoughts on the Mavs right now. Can they be legit contenders in the West despite there poor defense and who else does Derek see as a threat out of the West? Then, voice of the Golden State Warriors Tim Roye joins the guys to go over the Warriors season so far this year. Plus, is this the end of the road for Klay and...
Published 03/01/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are joined by former professional basketball player and social media influencer, Rex Chapman! They preview his new book 'It's Hard for Me to Live with Me.' How did he deal with addiction and playing basketball at a high level? How aware was he that he was dealing with mental health issues at the time of his playing days? The guys then get into the current NBA and how the game has differed from when he played. Later, they get into how AAU has effected development as...
Published 02/22/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are back for another week! The guys welcome on Pat Boylan, Indiana Pacers radio host and sideline reporter, to discuss the addition of Pascal Siakam, his fit with the team, what has he added, and if Indiana is a legit contender now. The guys then get into what lessons the Raptors can learn from the Pacers' rebuild and if it's a path they can pursue. The guys then welcome on former NBA GM turned ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks to look into the buyout market, the...
Published 02/16/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are back to break down the NBA trade deadline! The guys kick off the show with Doug Smith, Toronto Star Raptors reporter, who looks into Toronto's business today, if the organization picked the right direction, and what we expect to see for the rest of the season. Finally, former New York Knicks General Manager and current ESPN analyst, Scott Perry joins the guys to share his thoughts on the trade deadline including who improved the most, who got worse, and what move...
Published 02/09/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are joined by former Raptors point guard and current Sportsnet Analyst Alvin Williams! They go over some of his stories of being traded, and how it feels for the players. The guys also get into whether or not Vince Carter's number should be retired in Toronto and what retiring a number means. Alvin also shares his thoughts on Bruce Brown, and his impressions of Darko so far. The guys then welcome former NBA center and current Rockets analyst Ryan Hollins. They get...
Published 02/01/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are back with another jam packed episode! To start things off, senior NBA writer from the Ringer Howard Beck joins the show. They get into everything going on in Milwaukee and what led to the firing of Adrian Griffin. Next, they get into Beck's thoughts on the Raptors moves, and how long he thinks this rebuild could take. Eric then welcomes on Sportsnet Producer Paul Bromby to promote his new children's book 'The Backpack' and what inspired him to write it. The guys...
Published 01/26/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones start off today's episode on the heels of Masai Ujiri's post-trade press conference. They discuss if they share his faith about winning in Toronto, whether or not any more trade are coming, and what happened to the relationship between Masai and Pascal Siakam over the summer. Later on, FOX Sports 1 NBA analyst Ric Bucher hops aboard to chat about the recent trades, the direction of the Raptors, and the legacy of the 2019 title. Finally, ESPN NBA writer Kevin Pelton...
Published 01/18/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are back with another jam-packed episode! ESPN and Andscape writer Marc Spears joins to talk about how RJ Barrett is fitting in with the Raptors since the trade, why this is projecting to be a rare win-win transaction in the league, and what's on the horizon in Toronto. Next, Lakers radio play-by-play voice John Ireland weighs in on the season that's unfolded in Los Angeles, as well as LeBron James' 21st year in the league. Finally, Eric and Paul chat with Niloofar...
Published 01/11/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones breakdown everything to do with the OG Anunoby trade. First they are joined by the Associated Press Knicks reporter Brian Mahoney to take a look the trade from the Knicks perspective. What did the Raptors get with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley? Where does this trade leave the Knicks now too? Then former NBA coach and broadcaster P.J. Carlesimo joins the guys to share his thoughts on the trade and what he sees in the Raptors this year. Are they better after this...
Published 01/05/24
Eric Smith and Paul Jones share their reaction to the Toronto Raptors trading away OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round pick. We get Raptors TV voice Matt Devlin's thoughts on the trade, the mood of the team following the loss of OG in the locker room, and if this move signals the next decision surrounding Pascal Siakam's future. Plus, we hear head coach Darko Rajakovic's thoughts on the deal between New...
Published 12/30/23
Eric Smith & Paul Jones are back with another holiday best of edition! They look back on the year that was in Canada basketball with the General Manager of the national team Rowan Barrett, longtime member Carl English, and current Bronze medalist Dwight Powell! The guys also look back on some of there favorite interviews of the year from NBA champion Popeye Jones, to former NBA ref Bob Delaney, and finally ESPN analyst Tim Legler! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are...
Published 12/28/23
Eric Smith and Paul Jones look back on 2023 with some of their favourite interviews from the past year. This week they concentrate on conversations with former Raptors players Amir Johnson, TJ Ford, Jose Calderon, Dell Curry, Charlie Villanueva, and ‘The Junkyard Dog’ Jerome Williams. Happy Holidays from Smith & Jones! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Published 12/21/23
Eric Smith & Paul Jones are back for another jammed packed week! They are joined by former Raptor and Naismith player of the year, Tyler Hansbrough! They go over what he is getting up to in his retirement, some of his favorite memories from both college and his time in Toronto. They then get into some of the players he most enjoys watching now. Then longtime radio voice of the Atlanta Hawks Steve Holman joins the guys! They get into the similarities between the Hawks and Raptors teams and...
Published 12/15/23
Eric Smith and Paul Jones are back with a new episode! The guys catch up with former Raptors point guard Chris Childs and chat about everything he is doing off the court now, some of stories from his time in Toronto, and memories of playing with Vince Carter. Later on, Eric and Paul debate their favourite players to watch in the current NBA. Next up, former Assistant Coach for the Raptors and Team Canada, Jon Goodwillie stops by to share his thoughts on the greatest Raptors of all time, his...
Published 12/07/23