Hoop Ties

Another Miami themed episode but before we start talking about the Heat, let’s take a look at some sleeper draft prospects that could make a big splash in the league. Keep an eye out for Jordan Hawkins and Cason Wallace as they could make an immediate impact wherever they go. We also have a special guest on today’s episode to talk everything Miami basketball, Wes Goldberg. We talk about this 8-seed Miami team and their special run. The Miami Heat have now been to two NBA Finals in the last four years but do they have the what it takes to run it back and win it all? What are some of their needs that they have to address going into the next season and can Jimmy Butler be the number one option on a championship team? We wrap this one up talking about some of our favorite all-time Heat players. Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

The Denver Nuggets are NBA Champions after making quick work of the Miami Heat in a five game series. To honor this historic season we are joined by Ryan Blackburn, lead Nuggets analyst for Mile High Sports. On this episode we talk about everything Nuggets basketball from this year’s championship to legends of the past. Who are some of the players that really stepped up to take this team to the next level and is Jamal Murray in the conversation to be a a top three point guard in the NBA? We also discuss the greatness of Nikola Jokic and the historic run he went on to lead this organization to their first championship. Are the Nuggets going to be able to repeat next year? Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Welcome back to Hoop Ties! Why is everyone hating on the USA's FIBA World Cup Roster? No matter how talented other international teams might be, this USA team will have more than enough quality players to get the job done. On this episode, I am joined by Max Van Auken and we start this one off by talking about Paolo Banchero’s potential to be one of the best players in the league. Also, why do people continue to disrespect Trae Young by calling him overrated because he is truly one of the biggest threats in the NBA. We then talk about potential landing spots for Jaylen Brown if the Celtics decide not to pay him. Finally, we discuss some of the best young talent in the league that we are excited to watch develop. Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Today we are joined by Jermaine “Chill Town Hoops" Womack! We start this off by talking about Miami’s historical run and what they need to do to beat the Denver Nuggets. We all know Nikola Jokic is a problem but is there a way the Heat can slow him down with their defensive schemes? Who are the x-factors on the Heat that will have to step up and how much does experience impact a teams performance this deep into the the playoffs? We then give our thoughts on who is going to win it all. It’s becoming difficult to bet against a team like Miami since nobody expected them to make it past the first round. Finally, let’s talk about some hoopers from the past that would dominate in this era. Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

I know Lebron James might be frustrated after getting swept and injuries may be starting to catch up to him but is he really considering retirement? At the end of the day he is still one of the top talents in the league even at the age of 38. On today's episode I am joined by Brady Hawk, a Miami Heat Writer for "5 Reasons Sports." We discuss this unprecedented playoff run by the Heat and how their role players have stepped up. We also talk about this potential finals matchup between the Nuggets and the Heat. Do the Heat have an answer to to slow down Nikola Jokic? Let's finish this one of by talking about our favorite Heat players off all-time. Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Today I am joined by 2x All-star and 4x rebounding champ, Andre Drummond! From growing up in Connecticut, to being a walk-on on at UCONN to becoming an NBA All-Star, Andre has had a crazy journey. We talk about his time at Detroit and how the big man position has changed over the past decade. We discuss the art of rebounding and some of the l guys Andre thinks are the best rebounders of all-time. What does Andre Drummond think of Victor Wembanyama and who does he have playing in the NBA finals? Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Let me start this off by giving my thoughts on who should be featured on the All-NBA teams. Today we are sitting down with James Ham, Sacramento Kings insider for ESPN 1320. We discuss how he first started covering the Kings and his thoughts on this winning culture they are building in Sacramento. Who deserves the most credit for the Kings’ success and what do the Kings need to improve to make a deeper playoff run? Let’s finish this one off by talking about DeMarcus Cousins and how he took the role of “the big man” to the next level. Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Let’s start this one off by giving the 2023 MVP, Joel Embiid his flowers. He is such a rare talent and to do what he does on the court as a 7-footer is flat out impressive. For this episode we are joined by C.J. Holmes, a writer for San Francisco Chronicle that covers the Golden State Warriors. We talk about how the Warriors have preformed in the playoffs so far and discuss where Steph Curry ranks among the all-time greats. Is Curry the best player of this generation? We wrap this one up by shouting out some Golden State Warrior legends of the past and discussing the NBA legends that make it on our NBA Mount Rushmore. Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Today we are talking everything Knicks with Shaun Geddes. The Knicks are legit this year and they could be sleepers to make it to the NBA Finals. Is Jalen Brunson the best point guard in the Eastern Conference? Would you rather start a franchise with Trae Young, Darius Garland or Brunson? Finally, we talk about the players that have impressed us and disappointed us so far in the playoffs. Watch out for those Knicks! Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Had to start this one off by talking about the state of the NBA and how the game has changed in recent years from the influence of analytics. Let’s breakdown some of these teams and these first round matchups. The playoffs have been unpredictable so Ekam gives us his thoughts on who he thinks will be in the NBA finals. How has “ring culture” effected the game? Who are the guys we’d want to have leading our team in the toughest playoff games? Finally, let’s talk about pure hoopers in the NBA. No matter the environment these guys are going to cook! Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Both the 76ers and the Kings had phenomenal years but do they have what it takes to make a deep playoff run? The West is wide open so watch out for the Lakers and in the East keep on eye on the Cavaliers because they could surprise some people. On this episode I am joined by Drew Hill, a Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Daily Memphian. We talk about the Grizzlies championship aspirations and the players that need to step up for them to get past the Lakers in the first round. What can we expect to see from players like Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks in the playoffs? Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

It is going to be hard to give the MVP award to someone other than Joel Embiid. Is he the most skilled big man this game has ever seen? Jay Appaji from the MavsFilmRoom joins the podcast today. Let’s talk about Dirk Nowitzki’s impact on the Maverick’s franchise. What if Dirk and Steve Nash had more years together? The Kyrie Irving trade shook the basketball world but why hasn’t it worked out yet? Where would the Mavs be if they kept Jalen Brunson? Also, let’s wrap it up by talking about some of our favourite Mavericks of all-time. Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

The 2023 Hall-of Fame class has been announced. So let’s start this off by highlighting a couple of these basketball legends. On this episode I am joined by Denver Sports Analyst, Swipa. We talk about Jokić’s playmaking ability and the key pieces around him. What do the Nuggets need to do to live up to their expectations? Who do they need to step up in the playoffs? Discussion then shifts to the MVP race. Embiid, Jokić or Giannis? This might be the best generation of bigs that we have ever seen. Finally, who are the best players we’ve seen since Michael Jordan retired and who are our favorite Nuggets of all-time? Another episode down! Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing. Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Welcome to episode 1 of Hoop Ties! Today we are joined by Suns writer Gerald Bourguet. We all know this Suns team is dangerous. Let’s talk about Kevin Durant and his impact on the team. Is there anyone else that needs to step up to make the Suns true contenders? Are the Suns lacking depth? Who is the most valuable trade asset on this team? Finally, who are Gerald’s top 5 favorite players of all time? That’s a wrap on our first episode! Make sure you all subscribe and tune in weekly. Follow Ahmad - https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Kemba Walker is back in the league! How will he fit into the Mavericks roster and will he be productive? Welcome back Anthony Davis! He has been balling and maybe a little adversity is what he needed to get back to playing like a star. Is he a top 3 player in the league? Maybe a top-10 player? Who ranks above him? Also, where does a guy like Jimmy Butler rank in these conversations? Also, should the Timberwolves look to move on from Karl-Anthony Towns? Will the Timberwolves be able to figure it out? They have all the pieces but the fit appears to be off. Who is their number 1 option? Ahmad Smith on Instagram Theus McBee on Instagram

Today we are joined by Chase Hughes from NBC Sports Washington. What should be the Wizard’s goal for next few years? Bradley Beal is doing his thing but who else is stepping up for this team. What is Bradley Beal’s overall impact on the community? Has Kyle Kuzma found his NBA home? Will Washington be able to keep him? Can Kuzma make an All-Star team? Also, can this be a team that makes the playoffs and continues to build out their roster? Let’s talk about Russell Westbrook. Could he find his way back to the Wizards? How does the Beal and Porzingis combination compare to other teams? Finally, what Wizard would you build around in their prime? Chase says Jordan Goodwin is a young player to watch! Ahmad Smith on Instagram Theus McBee on Instagram

We are joined by Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer, Brandon Rahbar! Discussion begins with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He’s a three way scorer and nobody can stop him in the paint. What does the future look like with Shai and Chet leading this team? How does SGA compare to a player like Ja Morant? How would their teams preform if they were to switch places? Can SGA be the number 1 option on a championship team? What will Chet Holmgren’s impact be on this team when he is back? There is definitely a bright future ahead for OKC. If Russ and Kevin Durant stayed, how many championships would this team have? Finally, is their a world where Russell Westbrook comes back to the Thunder? Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss conversations like this! Ahmad Smith on Instagram Theus McBee on Instagram

The conversation starts with the big man who is making a serious statement, Joel Embiid. 100 points over 2 games is a little crazy. Have we seen a 3-level big that is such a pure scorer? Who in the NBA do we think could drop 70 points in a game? Curry? Giannis? We then transition to the Golden State to talk about their struggles. Do they have a guard that can guard? Reigning champs but can they make it back to the finals? Also, can they keep this team together? They have a lot of young talent but are these players getting lost behind the vets? Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you can stay caught up with the league. Ahmad Smith on Instagram Theus McBee on Instagram

We are joined by Orlando Magic beat writer Khobi Price! The Magic are a young team on the rise! Listen to us break down the roster and hear our thoughts. The conversation starts with Paolo Banchero. Looking like a definite Rookie of the year candidate but can he be the guy for the future? Is he maybe a Lebron James disciple? Also, Franz Wagner is killing it. Does he really have All-Star potential? Who else stands out on this roster? Things are looking bright for the Magic’s future. When can we expect them to be in the playoffs? Finally, let’s get into the top 5 Magic players of all time and talk about SLAM's six classic digital collectibles.

Are the Utah Jazz serious playoff contenders? They are playing hard and they are a fun team to watch! Did anyone think they were going to be this good? How many games does it take in a before we know what we can expect from teams. We then transition to talk the greatest trades of all-time. Is it the Garnett trade to the Celtics, Gasol to the Lakers or maybe Kawhi to the Raptors? Finally, who are the most athletic guys in the league? Ahmad Smith on Instagram Theus McBee on Instagram