The Atlantic Files

Tune in to episode 310 of The Atlantic Files as we dive into the latest NBA playoff drama, Anthony Edwards to Michael Jordan comparisons, and Joel Embiid trade possibilities. From heated debates to thrilling matchups, we provide expert analysis and insights on the action-packed first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Topics this week: Joel Embiid Trade Rumors: We start the episode by exploring the hot topic of whether the Philadelphia 76ers should trade Joel Embiid after this playoff run. With speculation swirling around Embiid's future with the team, we analyze the potential benefits and drawbacks of parting ways with the star center and discuss possible trade scenarios. Anthony Edwards' Comparison to Michael Jordan: Switching gears, we delve into the intriguing comparisons between Anthony Edwards and basketball legend Michael Jordan. As Edwards continues to impress with his athleticism and scoring ability, we examine the validity of these comparisons and discuss Edwards' potential to become a future NBA superstar. New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Best First Round Series: We highlight the thrilling matchup between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, which many consider to be the best first round playoff series in a long time. From intense rivalries to nail-biting finishes, we dissect the key moments and storylines shaping this highly anticipated showdown. First Round Playoff Recap: We provide a comprehensive recap of the rest of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, checking in on the latest matchups, series standings, and standout performances from teams across the league. From underdog victories to dominant sweeps, we break down the action and offer insights into the playoff landscape. Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:07:19 Should the 76ers consider trading Joel Embiid 00:39:00 Knicks vs 76ers the best first round series 00:41:27 Anthony Edwards compared to Michael Jordan 00:51:06 2024 NBA Playoffs

Join us for episode 309 of The Atlantic Files as we dive deep into the latest drama and analysis from the 2024 NBA Playoffs. From standout performances to controversial plays, we dissect the action-packed first round series and provide expert commentary on the games and players shaping the postseason landscape. Key Points: Jalen Brunson's Struggles Against the Philadelphia 76ers: We kick off the episode by discussing Jalen Brunson's performance in the first round series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite high expectations, Brunson has struggled to find his rhythm on the court, and we analyze the factors contributing to his underwhelming play. Joel Embiid's Dominance and Controversy Against the New York Knicks: Switching gears, we delve into Joel Embiid's standout performance in Game 3 against the New York Knicks, where he scored an impressive 50 points. However, controversy surrounds Embiid's aggressive playing style, with accusations of dirty play stirring debate among fans and analysts. Boston Celtics' Home Loss to the Miami Heat: We discuss the Boston Celtics' disappointing loss at home to the Miami Heat in Game 2 of their first-round series. Despite having home-court advantage, the Celtics failed to secure a victory, and we analyze the factors contributing to their defeat and the adjustments needed for future games. First Round Playoff Recap: We provide a comprehensive overview of the rest of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, checking in on the latest matchups, series standings, and standout performances from teams across the league. From thrilling comebacks to unexpected upsets, we break down the action and offer insights into the postseason battles unfolding on the hardwood. Timecodes: 00:00 Intro 01:52 Knicks vs Sixers and Jalen Brunson's struggles 18:16 Joel Embiid drops 50 with dumb flagrant foul 26:27 Boston Celtics lose a game at home 30:47 Other first round series in the 2024 NBA Playoffs 42:34 Outro

Welcome to episode 308 of The Atlantic Files! This week, we're covering everything from the highly anticipated 2024 NBA Playoffs to injury updates, Olympic roster announcements, and predictions for the NBA Regular Season awards. Join us as we break down the latest news and provide expert analysis on all things basketball. Topics this week: 2024 NBA Playoffs Preview: We kick off the episode with an in-depth preview of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. From top-seeded contenders to underdog teams, we analyze the playoff matchups, predict potential upsets, and discuss the key storylines to watch as the postseason unfolds. Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury Update: Breaking news on Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury casts a shadow over the playoffs as we discuss the impact of his potential absence in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers. We analyze how this setback could affect the Milwaukee Bucks' playoff run and the strategies they might employ in his absence. Team USA Basketball Olympic Roster Finalization: We provide updates on Team USA Basketball as they finalize their roster for the 2024 Olympic Games. From star players to emerging talents, we discuss the athletes expected to represent the United States on the international stage and their prospects for bringing home the gold. NBA Regular Season Award Predictions: Get ready for some bold predictions as we forecast the winners of the NBA Regular Season awards, including MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and more. We analyze player performances, statistical achievements, and team success to make our predictions for each award category. Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:27 Giannis Antetokounmpo may not be available 00:16:29 2024 NBA Playoffs Preview 00:50:29 Team USA finalizing their roster, who got snubbed 01:04:03 2024 NBA Awards predictions 01:11:43 Outro

In episode 307 of The Atlantic Files, Jontay Porter is under investigation for gambling on NBA games that he was involved in, the Brooklyn Nets turn down one of the best trade offers they've ever received, we check in on the Atlantic Division after our three-week hiatus, and we take a look at the playoff picture in the East and West and predict how it will shake out! Topics covered this week: 1. Life Updates and Injury Setbacks: We start with a personal update, sharing the challenges we've faced in the past few weeks, including a broken pinky and the demands of everyday life that have temporarily kept us away from the podcast. Despite the setbacks, we're back and ready to dive into the exciting world of basketball. 2. NBA Investigation: Jontay Porter and Sports Betting: Delve into the recent controversy surrounding Jontay Porter as the NBA launches an investigation into allegations of sports betting. We discuss the implications of such accusations on Porter's career and the NBA's stance on integrity in sports. 3. Brooklyn Nets Trade Rumors: Explore the trade talks between the Brooklyn Nets and the Houston Rockets, revealing the details of a trade offer involving promising young talents Jalen Green and Mikal Bridges. We analyze the Nets' decision to turn down the offer and the potential impact on both teams. 4. Atlantic Division Update: Get an in-depth look at the NBA's Atlantic Division standings for the 2023-24 season. We review the performance of teams such as the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and New York Knicks, highlighting standout players and key matchups. 5. 2024 NBA Playoff Race: As the regular season heats up, we shift our focus to the thrilling race for the 2024 NBA Playoffs. From top contenders to underdogs fighting for a spot, we break down the current playoff picture, playoff seeding scenarios, and teams to watch as the postseason approaches. Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:43 Flomax and broken pinkies 00:19:05 Jontay Porter under investigation 00:29:48 Nets turn down Jalen Green for Mikal Bridges 00:42:35 Atlantic Division update 00:50:05 NBA Playoff picture 01:01:06 Outro

The Atlantic Files will be back next week after our hosts experienced broken fingers, dance recitals, and a lot of life in general. We apologize for the small hiatus, but in the meantime, we have the first episode of a football podcast brought to you by The Atlantic Files! Join us for the inaugural episode of Sideline Specialists as we dive into the latest buzz surrounding the 2024 NFL Free Agency period, surprising trades and signings, and our very own mock drafts for the upcoming NFL Draft. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek into the creation of our new football-centric podcast. Topics this week: Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles Free Agency Moves: We analyze the strategic moves made by the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles during the 2024 NFL Free Agency period, exploring how these acquisitions will impact their respective rosters and upcoming seasons. Surprising Trades and Signings Across the NFL: Delve into the most unexpected trades and signings that shook up the NFL landscape during the Free Agency period, highlighting the players changing teams and the implications for their new organizations. First Round Mock Draft Predictions: We unveil our own mock drafts for the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, offering insights into potential picks, player projections, and team strategies leading up to one of the most anticipated events in football. Introducing Sideline Specialists Podcast: Learn about the inception of Sideline Specialists, our vision for the podcast, and what listeners can expect from future episodes. While football will be our primary focus, we're excited to explore various aspects of the game and engage with our audience. We encourage listeners to share their thoughts, questions, and predictions with us on social media using #SidelineSpecialists. Be sure to subscribe to Sideline Specialists for weekly episodes covering everything football-related, from game analysis to player interviews and beyond. Don't miss out on the action as we journey through the exciting world of football together! Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro and new show 00:13:24 Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens thoughts 01:24:04 NFL Free Agency Takeaways 01:46:38 Mock Drafts for 2024 NFL Draft 02:46:05 Outro and final thoughts

This week, on episode 305 of The Atlantic Files, Tom Deasey joins the show, the latest debate around the interwebs is Tim Duncan versus Nikola Jokic, JJ Redick makes some strong comments about Doc Rivers and it ruffles some feathers, is there any hope for the NBA All-Star game and weekend to return to glory, and we take a look at the MVP race and whether or not Jayson Tatum is unfairly criticized. Around social media and blogs everywhere, the latest hot debate has been Tim Duncan versus Nikola Jokic. Everyone is trying to figure out which player they would take for the entirety of their career. New-generation fans have no idea the type of player that Duncan was, but Jokic has been a freak of nature so far in his career. Who do you take? JJ Redick was on First Take and went nuclear went it came to Doc Rivers throwing all of the accountability at everyone but himself. He roasted Rivers for never taking accountability while Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe sat there and agreed with every word. Austin Rivers and Patrick Beverley took offense, but they're in the minority when it comes to this opinion. The NBA All-Star Game and the entire weekend as a whole were a disappointment yet again. Who would have guessed? Just about everyone who has watched the last handful of years would have. So, is there any hope at all for it to get better in the future? Finally, we take a look at the MVP race after Draymond Green talked about Jayson Tatum being unfairly criticized. He thinks that Tatum is being held to a higher standard than the rest of the candidates, but we think the rest of them are just flat-out better. Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:00 AI, VR, and weird stuff 00:30:08 Is there any hope for NBA All-Star 00:44:52 MVP Race and where Jayson Tatum fits 01:03:29 JJ Redick's Comments on Doc Rivers 01:27:47 Nikola Jokic vs Tim Duncan debate 01:38:12 NBA looking into helping defensive players 01:59:32 Outro and closing thoughts

On episode 304 of The Atlantic Files, Dmitry Bergen of the Plan C Podcast joins the show again! We review the trades that went down at the NBA Trade Deadline, Dennis Schroder's first action with the Brooklyn Nets, Buddy Hield and Cam Payne's abilities for the Philadelphia 76ers, Deandre Ayton crumbling in Portland, and the Jusuf Nurkic versus Draymond Green beef continues! The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers both made some moves right before the trade deadline. The Sixers made some head-scratching ones but also brought in the likes of Buddy Hield who provides the type of shooting and scoring that they've needed for a long time. The Nets, on the other hand, got rid of an underperforming Spencer Dinwiddie and brought in a better shooter in Dennis Schroder. Then, there were all of the other trades that took place before the deadline. The New York Knicks were the hands-down winners of the trade deadline and they have improved their team greatly. Now, they have to put all of the pieces together on the court. Did the deadline help or hurt the top teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and Minnesota Timberwolves though? Finally, we look at some of the "background" things happening in the NBA. Jusuf Nurkic and Draymond Green are still beefing and it doesn't look like that's going to end any time soon. It does make for great television! Then, there have been some bad reports coming out of Portland on the mentality of Deandre Ayton. He was once regarded as a top big man, but has fallen off that podium a long time ago. Follow Dmitry Bergen and the Plan C Podcast! Threads - https://www.threads.net/@theycallmedmitry YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@PlanC-F1Podcast Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0drOqEOXKCQukIFfsEpSee?si=3a8ea91457e64eb2 Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plan-c-definitely-an-f1-podcast/id1728779023?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=lt_p Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:09:26 Food service industry and tipping practices 00:15:13 Buddy Hield trade and 76ers rookies 00:30:01 Chicago Bulls and trade deadline reviews 00:35:05 Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics are opposites 00:58:48 Brooklyn Nets trades and Dennis Schroder 01:19:06 Jusuf Nurkic vs Draymond Green beef 01:32:37 Bad reports about Deandre Ayton 02:01:16 Origins of the Plan C F1 Podcast 02:18:30 Outro and closing thoughts

On episode 303 of The Atlantic Files, Ben Simmons finally returns to the court again after more issues with his back, Joel Embiid misses another game against Nikola Jokic in Denver, the Los Angeles Lakers are getting extreme favoritism from the refs, and the Golden State Warriors look at potential trade targets to get themselves back into title contention. Ben Simmons has finally returned from his back issues and played his first game since November. He is on a minutes restriction but he still almost posted a triple-double against the Utah Jazz. How long will he remain on the court for the rest of the season and will his back issues keep him off of the court for most of his career? Joel Embiid put on a masterclass in the first of two matchups against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. He was set to play in the rematch that took place in Denver but then was surprisingly downgraded to questionable and eventually was sidelined. He hasn't played in Denver since 2019, so now fans think he's scared and ducking Jokic. What happened to the regular season not meaning anything? A stat has been found that proves the Los Angeles Lakers shoot the most free throws out of any team in the NBA. Not only that, but they have the biggest difference in total free throw attempts compared to their opponents. Something seems a bit fishy here, but the Lakers aren't even turning it into wins. So, should we all be mad about it? Finally, the Golden State Warriors are trying to salvage something out of this season after they found themselves in 12th place in the West after half of the season has gone by. The question is who they should be trading away and if it's worth trading for what's out there right now. We dive into some options they have and whether or not they should even mortgage their future before the trade deadline. Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:45 WWE Royal Rumble thoughts 00:15:09 Ben Simmons first game back against Utah Jazz 00:29:46 Golden State Warriors trade targets before the deadline 00:40:59 Is Joel Embiid ducking Nikola Jokic 00:46:25 Lakers getting way more Free Throws 00:54:21 Outro and final thoughts

On episode 302 of The Atlantic Files, Doc Rivers reportedly is the leading candidate to take over the Milwaukee Bucks head coaching vacancy after Adrian Griffin was fired, Terry Rozier was traded to the Miami Heat for Kyle Lowry, Joel Embiid asserts his dominance over Nikola Jokic and the NBA, and is trouble brewing for the first-seed Minnesota Timberwolves? In the biggest news going around the NBA, Doc Rivers is returning to the NBA sidelines as a coach instead of a commentator. It didn't take too long for him to get the itch to coach again as the Milwaukee Bucks fired Adrian Griffin after the team started the season with a 30-13 record. Rivers was reportedly helping out in a consulting format, but that will lead to an actual coaching job now. The other biggest news is probably that Terry Rozier has finally escaped the Charlotte Hornets and was traded to the Miami Heat for a first-round pick and Kyle Lowry. Rozier brings a scoring point guard who can actually get out on the floor without being on the injury report 24/7. Hopefully, the rest of the team can now stay on the floor. Joel Embiid had quite the week. He destroyed Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, then went on to become the ninth player in NBA history to drop 70 points in a game. If he wasn't the leader for MVP before, he's definitely at the top of the ladder for every outlet now. This is Embiid's world and we're just living in it. Finally, the Minnesota Timberwolves tried to get the ball to Karl-Anthony Towns on the same day that Embiid scored 70 so that he could beat his point total. The issue is that Towns only scored four points in the fourth quarter and the team ended up losing. Then, head coach Chris Finch ranted in the post-game press conference about the immature play from his star forward and the lack of defense from the team. Yikes! Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:36 Trip to South Carolina and NBA Threads 00:15:15 Terry Rozier traded to Miami Heat 00:30:39 Coach Finch rips the Minnesota Timberwolves 00:41:43 Doc Rivers takes Adrian Griffin's job with Milwaukee Bucks 00:58:06 Joel Embiid vs Nikola Jokic 01:16:06 Final thoughts and outro

On episode 301 of The Atlantic Files, Dmitry Bergen of the Loose Ball Boys podcast joins the show! The Toronto Raptors have been in active talks with the Indiana Pacers surrounding a Pascal Siakam deal, the Washington Wizards dropped a player for allegedly stealing from Target, Erik Spoelstra signs a contract extension after divorce, and coaches going off on NBA referees. First and foremost, we get to know Dmitry and how the Loose Ball Boys podcast first started. We also go over how he became a Brooklyn Nets fan and his love for basketball in general. Then we get into the real meat of his story by talking about favorite foods, Richard Jefferson encounters, and more. The big basketball news is obviously Pascal Siakam getting traded from the Toronto Raptors to the Indiana Pacers. We go over how it changes the Pacers' outlook for this season, especially since they had to give up Bruce Brown in the process. Three first-round picks are a lot for a guy who isn't guaranteed to re-sign. Also, how is the Toronto Raptors rebuild going at this stage? Then, we get into the weird news that starts with coaches ripping into NBA referees and huge disparities in free throws. A lot of the time it's the bigger market team getting the calls and these coaches are absolutely sick of it. To be honest, we're getting tired of it too! Finally, Ryan Rollins was allegedly waived for stealing things from Target on multiple occasions. It allegedly was even the same exact Target every time. Then, at the opposite end of the spectrum, there's Erik Spoelstra getting a contract extension right after his divorce was finalized. That's Heat culture right there! FOLLOW THE LOOSE BALL BOYS! https://www.youtube.com/@looseballboys https://www.threads.net/@looseballboys https://open.spotify.com/show/6WMG7LjdCmc0p5Y8KgnDfd Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:23 Dmitry Bergen on his Nets fandom and start of Loose Ball Boys 00:14:00 Russian women, Threads, and fast food 00:37:45 Pascal Siakam traded to the Indiana Pacers 01:04:57 NBA Coaches disagreeing with refs 01:13:19 Ryan Rollins waived for allegedly stealing?! 01:21:25 Erik Spoelstra finalizes contract after divorce 01:30:24 Random closing thoughts and outro

On episode 300 of The Atlantic Files, we're joined by a special guest, Scott "The King" Engel. He's an FSWA Hall of Famer, Senior Writer at The Game Day and RotoBaller, Fantasy Writer for seahawks.com, and a Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio host. We talk about OG Anunoby moving to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, the Memphis Grizzlies' plan with Ja Morant out, the Philadelphia 76ers with Joel Embiid's injuries, and the initial 2024 NBA All-Star voting returns. Scott Engel has been in the fantasy sports writing business for over 20 years and is one of the industry's pioneers. We go over how he got into journalism, his favorite athletes of all time, and how he began playing fantasy sports. Engel gives a lot of great nuggets of information and talks about some of the people he's met along the way. Then, we got into the OG Anunoby trade and how he's fared with the New York Knicks so far. Anunoby has been a great fit and the team has gone undefeated since he joined the starting lineup. Do the Knicks need to make any more moves to be serious title contenders? On the flip side, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley joined the Toronto Raptors and took another step in their young careers. Is this the best place for their development? Also, we talk about a potential Pascal Siakam trade and how the Raptors will go about building for the future with Scottie Barnes. Finally, we go over the initial voting returns for the 2024 NBA All-Star game. We talk about those who have been snubbed, some surprise names, and why fans can't ever get it fully correct when it comes to voting the right guys into the game. Also, are there any good All-Star games anymore in any of the major sports? Check out Scott Engel's work! The Gameday - https://thegameday.com/author/scott-engel/ RotoBaller - https://www.rotoballer.com/author/scottetheking Seahawks.com - https://www.seahawks.com/news/fantasy-insider/ Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:58 Scott "The King" Engel joins the show 00:11:49 Scott Engel talks New York Mets and baseball fandom 00:15:33 Dr. Pepper Zero vs Coke Zero and favorite food 00:25:50 OG Anunoby and the New York Knicks 00:49:49 RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and the Toronto Raptors future 01:03:28 2024 NBA All-Star voting returns 01:12:41 Closing thoughts

On episode 299 of The Atlantic Files, we react to the NBA Christmas day games, give our thoughts on Becky Hammon saying Jalen Brunson is too small to be a 1A, Kevin Durant expressing frustration with the Phoenix Suns health and role players, and the Detroit Pistons losing streak. Becky Hammon was on ESPN as their panel talked about the New York Knicks and whether or not they can seriously compete for the NBA Finals. She said they didn't have that 1A player and explained that Jalen Brunson is a great player but he's too small to be a 1A. Does she make any good points there or is Brunson a lot better than she gives credit? The 2023 NBA Christmas Day games gave a mixed bag of entertainment while some superstars didn't even play and other gave us the performance of a lifetime. Dennis and Alex give their thoughts on the outcomes of each game and whether or not these are signs of things to come for the rest of the season. Speaking of Christmas games, Kevin Durant is apparently now getting frustrated with the health of his new big three and the talent of the supporting cast. No one is really sure what else he expected when the team went out and got Bradley Beal and traded all of their assets to get him and Beal in the first place. Does anyone actually feel bad for him as well? Finally, the Detroit Pistons made history for the wrong reasons. They're now the owners of the longest losing streak in a single NBA season and they could potentially add on to that streak. Is this team actually that bad or are they just hitting some really bad luck? Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro and Christmas movies 00:18:43 The Detroit Pistons historic losing streak 00:43:25 Becky Hammon's comments about Jalen Brunson 01:00:22 2023 NBA Christmas game reactions 01:15:28 Kevin Durant upset in Phoenix 01:32:13 Outro

On episode 298 of The Atlantic Files, Ja Morant returns after his 25-game suspension, we discuss if Steve Kerr should be on the hot seat while watching the Golden State Warriors crumble, we give an update on the state of the Atlantic Division, and Giannis Antetokounmpo ready to fight over a game ball. Ja Morant has finally returned to the court after his 25-game suspension for multiple gun-related incidents. Right now, the Memphis Grizzlies are one of the worst teams in the league record-wise. We discuss whether or not Morant's return is a little too late for them to get in the top six, or if they have a shot at making some noise come playoff time. The Golden State Warriors have been in shambles for the most part this season. They haven't sunk to the bottom of the West, but Draymond Green has been suspended indefinitely and both Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins have seemed to forget how to play basketball. Is this going to put Steve Kerr on the hot seat or has he been so good for so long that he has a lot of slack before they think about replacing him? Giannis Antetokounmpo once got into a fight with Montrezl Harrell over a ladder and that seemed like it was going to be the most ridiculous argument he would get into. Then came along the game ball discussion after Antetokounmpo scored the franchise record for most points in a single game. He was ready to sprint into the Indiana Pacers locker room just to fight someone to get his game ball back. What is going on in the NBA?! Last but not least, we check in on the Atlantic Division and give some updates to each team. The Boston Celtics look primed to win the division again but where does everyone else fall? Do the Brooklyn Nets just need to bring in one big-time star or do they need a series of moves? Timecodes: 00:00 Intro 06:11 Steve Kerr on the hot seat 17:57 Giannis Antetokounmpo gets mad over the game ball 21:51 Ja Morant is back shooting game winners 37:39 Atlantic division update 46:34 Outro

On episode 297 of The Atlantic Files, Draymond Green gets ejected yet again for hitting someone, the Los Angeles Lakers are the first champions of the in-season tournament, Patrick Beverley asking the real questions on ESPN, and more ejections across the league. Draymond Green threw his limbs all over the place, yet again, and was ejected after hitting Jusuf Nurkic in the face. He says that it wasn't on purpose which is why he apologized, but at this rate, there's no benefit of the doubt. Green has hit enough opposing players to believe that this was no accident by any means. So, does he deserve the indefinite suspension that he received? LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have officially won the inaugural in-season tournament championship. We're going to call it the NBA Cup because it's a lot easier to say. Either way, some have asked if it was fixed to get the Lakers as the very first champion. Now the debate is whether or not the IST ring counts towards a player's resume and if teams should raise banners. Even though Green deserved to be ejected, there have been a ton of ejections this season and the number keeps increasing. Players are getting thrown out just for disagreeing with foul calls instead of actual hard fouls or wrongdoing. If this trend continues, fans are going to get more and more upset with referees which is something the league does not want. Finally, Patrick Beverley went on ESPN during the in-season tournament finals and had a conversation with Kevin Hart that ruffled some feathers. He asked about the Josh Giddey news and demanded some answers and opinions instead of political correctness. It was a great move and he's now become famous for drinking a victory beer after every win. Timecodes: 00:00 Intro 03:12 LeBron and the Lakers win the In-Season Tournament 15:30 Draymond Green strikes again 24:10 Ejections run rampant in the NBA 39:53 Patrick Beverley gets kicked off of ESPN 47:13 Outro

On this week's episode of The Atlantic Files, Tyrese Haliburton has been going off so is he a legit MVP candidate? Also, we talk about the in-season tournament playoffs, whether or not the Golden State Warriors are cooked, and if the Minnesota Timberwolves are legit title contenders as they sit atop the Western Conference right now. Tyrese Haliburton has gone from a budding star to a big-time point guard who has exploded onto the scene. His run in the in-season tournament has been nothing short of outstanding and now the general public has shifted him into the MVP conversation. Does he warrant legit MVP conversation or is this too early to discuss his name on that level? Speaking of deciding if someone is legit or not, the Minnesota Timberwolves are the top team in the West and boast the best record in the entire league. Is this team really a legitimate title contender or are we seeing a team that's just surprising in the beginning of the season and will return to Earth later on? Time will only tell, but we give our opinions on it anyway. Finally, we give our thoughts and opinions on the in-season tournament as a whole. Has everyone enjoyed the product and did the scheduling make sense? Also, will this stick and carry on to each new season yet to come? Let us know across social media and in the YouTube comments what you think! Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro and Banter 00:09:49 NBA In-season tournament quarterfinals reactions 00:27:24 Is Tyrese Haliburton an MVP candidate? 00:46:15 Are the Minnesota Timberwolves for real? 00:55:15 Are the Golden State Warriors cooked? 01:04:20 Outro

On this week's episode of The Atlantic Files, Josh Giddey finds himself in troublesome rumors, Jordan Poole becomes a Shaqtin a fool MVP and Kevin Garnett says he doesn't belong in the league, Scott Foster and Chris Paul's feud adds a new chapter, and more! Josh Giddey is currently under investigation by the NBA and the Newport California police department for allegations of an underage relationship. Obviously, this is nothing to take lightly especially because it could affect Giddey's career and life outside of basketball. There's still information coming out about the saga, so we give some thoughts on the matter. Jordan Poole has been the center of a few memes so far this season. He probably will be the center of many more if he continues to play the way he's been playing lately. So, what exactly is happening with him and the Washington Wizards? Are they going to finally turn a corner at some point? Chris Paul was kicked out of yet another game due to a feud with Scott Foster which continues one of the craziest battles between a player and a ref. Apparently, there was a meeting about it and Paul even said that Foster brought his son into the mix. That's a serious comment and this feud may never end! Finally, we check in with the Atlantic Division and go over how the teams are doing thus far. The Boston Celtics are at the top and they're doing exactly what we thought they would! Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:26 Thanksgiving leftovers debate 00:14:06 Atlantic Division check-in 00:33:08 Jordan Poole is doing stuff 00:42:16 Josh Giddey has some troubling allegations 00:56:52 Scott Foster and Chris Paul's feud 01:05:18 Mark Cuban Selling a majority stake of the Mavericks 01:09:18 Outro

On episode 293 of The Atlantic Files, Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls both have an interest in finding a trade partner for the All-Star guard, NBA Officiating seems to be going off the rails as more techs are handed out and more people are aggravated, James Harden gets obliterated by a Mavs broadcaster, Kelly Oubre Jr. has a scary situation, Zion Williamson doesn't seem happy in New Orleans, and Jordan Poole is finding out quickly that Washington is not Golden State! The Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine are reportedly talking to teams about potential deals to move the All-Star guard to a new team. It's unclear whether or not this is the start of a full rebuild, but the two sides have a mutual understanding that LaVine is now firmly on the trade block. We take a look at who should make a deal for him. NBA Officiating has been the topic of many discussions in post-game press conferences, social media, and much more so far this season. There have been game-changing calls, ejections out of nowhere, and even more questionable events that have caused even coaches to say things and get fined for talking about the refs. Is it especially bad this year or just par for the course? Kelly Oubre Jr. unfortunately experienced a terrifying situation when he was hit by a car as he was just a pedestrian walking around his residence. The good thing is that his injuries are not as severe as originally expected, but after such a hot start, he'll now be out for a while to heal from broken ribs and other injuries. Speaking of players that may be on the trade block, Zion Williamson seemed very unhappy with his situation in New Orleans during a post-game press conference. Also, Jordan Poole is finding out very quickly that the Washington Wizards are nothing like the Golden State Warriors and it might be pretty difficult to be the best player on a team. Finally, we also take a look at the epic rant from a Dallas Mavericks broadcaster that was aimed at James Harden and everything he's done since leaving Houston. Timecodes: 00:00 Intro 07:26 James Harden gets roasted 21:43 Zach LaVine on the trade block 30:33 Zion Williamson unhappy in New Orleans? 38:54 NBA Officiating is off the rails 47:40 Jordan Poole and the Wizards are awful 50:41 Outro

On episode 293 of The Atlantic Files, James Harden says he was on a leash in Philadelphia and he isn't a system player, Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren are putting on a show, two Atlantic division teams are at the top of the East while the others have shown a mixed bag, and the Milwaukee Bucks haven't been as good as expected so far. James Harden does his first press conference since joining the Los Angeles Clippers and he talks about how he was on a leash in Philadelphia and that he needs a coach that he can trust who will also trust him. This is news to all of us, including Joel Embiid who was confused by his comments and said that they gave him the ball on every possession. Make this drama make sense, please! Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks have yet to show their full potential after suffering a couple of bad losses in the early going of this season. Inefficient shooting, poor defense, and ejections have caused the team to look like they regressed from last year. Is this team actually as much of a title contender as everyone thought or did they ship out too much of their depth to be as good as they used to be? Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren have been garnering all the hype for quite a while now. Deservedly so, these two rookies have lived up to all of the expectations and then some! Both of them have turned into must-see TV and have raised the level of each of their teams. This race for Rookie of the Year may be one of the closest in a long time! Finally, we take a look at the Atlantic Division so far and how they've fared over the first few weeks of the season. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are at the top of the division and the conference while the other three are all next to each other in play-in territory. This is shaping up to be a fun year! Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:06:07 James Harden on a leash?! 00:29:42 Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks 00:44:30 Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren are awesome 00:56:22 The Atlantic Division so far 01:09:31 Outro