ShotTakes

Wolves Coaching Drama, Full All-Star Rosters Released, and the First Annual Theoretical Players Draft

For the first time since the infamous Jimmy Butler + third-stringers practice, Minnesota became the center of the NBA universe this weekend: Anthony Edwards threw down the dunk of the year, and the team raised some eyebrows by firing coach Ryan Saunders and immediately replacing him with Raptors assistant Chris Finch, passing over Wolves assistant David Vanterpool, among others. As is tradition, more feathers were ruffled when the NBA dropped the full All-Star rosters (though some feathers were unruffled when Devin Booker was announced as Anthony Davis' injury replacement). Finally, we make history with the inaugural version of an exercise nobody asked for: the Theoretical Players Draft! You know that version of a player you keep hearing about, but haven't seen for whatever reason? They might appear on one of our "mind's eye" squads. Tune in for the full picks.

Correcting the Record: Unpacking Some of the Mid-Season Narratives Running Throughout NBA Media

If you've been listening to our competition (waste of time, but that's not the point), you've probably heard the same narratives over the past few weeks: "nobody's playing defense," "this team doesn't deserve multiple All-Stars," "that guy's team isn't good enough for him to be in the MVP race," etc. We unpack all of these and more, starting with Draymond Green's impassioned commentary on the unequal dynamic between team and player power. Tune in for #truth. 

Marking One Year Since Kobe's Tragic Death, A Look at the Post-Harden Trade Nets, and Early Returns on Other New Acquisitions Across the League

On the one year anniversary of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, and seven others, we revisit the surreal nature of that day and pay tribute to the victims. Then, we take stock of the new look Nets, who have won four of six since acquiring James Harden but clearly have a lot of work to do on the defensive end. Finally, we assess the early returns on other notable acquisitions who are impacting their teams in good and not so good ways. Tune in.

Is This Real? Assessing the Sustainability of the 2020-21 Season's Early Trends

Sustainability is one of the most important abilities—it's even a U.S. government value again! Scott and Eric join on the first full day of the Biden Administration to weigh in on which early season outliers—good and bad—are built to last. Remember: science is real, even if the Cleveland Cavaliers' defense isn't. 

James Harden Is a Brooklyn Net....But Is Kyrie Irving Still One?

James Harden pushes the Houston Rockets to a breaking point, and the team ships him to Brooklyn in a four-team blockbuster that sends Caris LeVert to Indiana, Jarrett Allen to Cleveland, Victor Oladipo and a boatload of draft picks to Houston, plus more. The Nets bring in one mercurial superstar the same week philosopher-king Kyrie Irving goes AWOL (seemingly violating COVID-19 protocols during his sabbatical), making the team's attempt to form a three-star marriage all the more volatile. Oh, and the NBA is desperately trying to keep the season going in the midst of a deadly pandemic that shows no signs of slowing down. 

Welcome To The Weird But Wonderful 2020-21 NBA Season

We've got two weeks of regular season basketball to recap (after a brief pizza debate, of course). Who looks good, who looks bad, what we like, what we hate, you know the drill. 

THE NBA IS BACK + James Harden's Wild Month and Future

They're baaaaaack! Warriors-Nets was a dud but the rest of the NBA's opening week slate holds many tantalizing matchups both on Christmas Day and beyond—let's be honest, we're all elated just to have basketball back regardless of who's playing. Plus, a deep dive on the James Harden situation, his trade prospects, and a never before reported ShotTakes insider story from 2012 on Harden's recreational habits that now seems prescient [eyes emoji]. Tune in to hear the sauce—and happy holiday season from the ShotTakes family to yours! Stay safe.

Legal Marijuana's Moment, Giannis Signs the Supermax, and Our Western Conference Preview

The irreversible tide of cannabis legalization is sweeping across America and the National Basketball Association as the U.S. House of Representatives votes to OK pot at the federal level and Adam Silver suspends random marijuana testing for at least this season. Plus, Giannis agrees to the five-year, $228 million supermax extension to remain in Milwaukee and, oh, yeah, we assess the entire Western Conference. Tune in and remember: two-thirds of Americans support legalizing it. 

2020-21 Eastern Conference Preview

The small lineup is here to kick off the fourth season preview of the ShotTakes Era with a look at this year's Eastern Conference. Can the Heat back up their remarkable showing in the Bubble by defending the conference crown? Has Milwaukee made the upgrades necessary to reach the Finals—and earn Giannis' commitment? Who else can stake a plausible claim to contention? And which other feisty squads, well, are worth talking about? Believe it or not, there are less than three weeks until Opening Night—so there's not time like the present to tune in for our perspectives on all the above.

 

Stay safe, everyone. 

 

A Wild Week: Draft, Free Agency, Trades, Failed Trades, and a Papal Audience for the NBA

We're used to dramatic offseason developments in the NBA, though not necessarily during November nor condensed into an action-packed week that saw the draft, free agency, trades, failed trades (plus investigations?), and even an audience with Pope Francis for a delegation of NBA players. We've got the full starting lineup here with thoughts on all the above—tune in!