Read and React

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber break down and predict every first-round and play-in matchup of the NBA postseason, including how the 76ers might look with a healthy Joel Embiid in the lineup, the high stakes of Mavs-Clippers III, how Giannis' injury impacts the Bucks' chances against the Pacers, whether the Warriors will scrap their way to a playoff spot, and much, much more.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber pick and discuss their unofficial awards ballots for the 2023-24 NBA season, including a disagreement on who should win MVP, LeBron James' All-NBA candidacy, whether Victor Wembanyama is already the Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner, which young players improved the most this season, and much more.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber discuss the jam-packed races for the 3-8 seeds in the Eastern Conference, which play-in teams pose the greatest threat to the top seeds, the Magic's sudden rise, potential fit issues in Cleveland, and much more.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber debate whether the Oklahoma City Thunder's inexperience will matter in the postseason and whether the Nuggets have taken a step back or just taken their foot off the gas. Then they check in on the MVP race and look at the Celtics' potential weaknesses in the playoffs. Plus: the rock-paper-scissors game between the top teams in the West, the biggest threats to those teams, Cleveland's cooling off since the All Star break, and the next wave of NBA superstars.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber break down the most impactful trades of a relatively quiet NBA trade deadline. Then they discuss Joel Embiid's meniscus injury, how much the 65-game rule is to blame, and how it affects the MVP race.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber discuss the impact of the OG Anunoby-Immanuel Quickley trade on the Knicks, Raptors, and NBA as a whole. Then they break down the Thunder's rise to the top of the Western Conference, the new crop of stars in the NBA, how today's league fits into the arc of NBA history, and much more.

Just over a month into the NBA season, Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber discuss the NBA In-Season Tournament, how it has changed the regular season, and who could win it. Then they assess how Boston's 3-point heavy offense might translate in the playoffs and the new wave of lead guards taking over the NBA.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber discuss the Clippers' struggles since trading for James Harden, Tyrese Maxey's early breakout and the Sixers' improved offensive continuity, why the Bucks have yet to find a rhythm on either end of the floor, and other key storylines from the three weeks of the NBA season.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber react to the Sixers trading James Harden to the Clippers, discuss how the trade affects both teams on the court, and assess potential next steps for the 76ers.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber prepare for the new NBA season by bouncing around to the most interesting, exciting, and confusing teams in the league. Can anyone crack the Milwaukee/Boston tier in the East? Do the Hawks have a path toward short-term relevance? How will Chris Paul fit with the Warriors? Can the Kings replicate last season's success? They also discuss their predictions and expectations for the year, including whether anyone will knock off the Nuggets in the West, picks for MVP and other awards, the rise of a new generation of stars, and much more.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber discuss a busy week in NBA media, including Calvin Booth's inflammatory comments to the Ringer, profiles on Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski, Terance Mann's reported trade (un)availability, and much more.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber break down the Celtics' huge trade for Jrue Holiday, including where it leaves other Holiday suitors, Portland's handling of the Damian Lillard situation, and how much better Boston will really be next season. Then they react to Devin Vassell's 5-year, $146 million extension with the Spurs.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber break down every angle of the blockbuster trade of Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, including how Lillard will elevate Milwaukee's offense, where Jrue Holiday could be traded next, what the Suns might see in Jusuf Nurkic, and much more.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber discuss the top 30(ish) players in the NBA, including some rising young stars in the league, LeBron's gentle decline, and whether anyone else is on Nikola Jokic's level right now. Plus: What these rankings can tell us about the state of the modern NBA.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber discuss James' Harden's recent comments to a gathering of children about his relationship with Daryl Morey and how that connects with Damian Lillard's situation in Portland. Then they react to Jaylen Brown's historic new contract.

On the 250th episode of Read and React, Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber discuss Damian Lillard's reported trade request and what fallout could come from it, the best signings of the NBA offseason, the Rockets' perplexing free agency moves, and more.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber discuss how Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jordan Poole might fit into their new teams before breaking down the picks they liked the most and least from Thursday's NBA Draft.

Brad Rowland joins Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber to discuss Victor Wembanyama's historic upside, the candidates for the second overall pick, potential sleepers in the late first round, and much more on the 2023 NBA Draft.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber discuss the Denver Nuggets winning their first championship, the magic of Denver's team construction, the challenges the Nuggets could face keeping this team together, and much more. Then, they bounce around this week's slate of NBA news items.

Ben Ladner and Jon Sauber discuss the Heat's adjustments in Game 2, Jimmy Butler's quiet series, the brilliance of Denver's supporting cast, potential ramifications of the NBA lottery, and much more.