Location:
United States
Description:
From the NBA Draft to the playoffs and back again, Chris Mannix, Rachel Nichols, and Evan Turner take you on a ride across the NBA standings, laying out the latest news and rumors along the way and leaving no basketball conspiracy theory stone left unturned.
Language:
English
Episodes
Confusing Anti-Tanking Proposals & The Scary Sixers (w/ Rachel Nichols)
3/31/2026
Chris Mannix and Rachel Nichols break down how Luka Dončić is making a late-season MVP push, Adam Silver’s very complicated anti-tanking proposals he outlined at the annual Board of Governors meetings, why the Sixers could surprise someone in the first round of the playoffs, and the increasingly complex trade situation involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
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Duration:00:52:31
Closest MVP Race in Years & The Cam Thomas Situation (w/ Evan Turner)
3/26/2026
Chris Mannix and Evan Turner break down how this year's MVP race could come down to the wire, as well as which three players they believe are most deserving. They also share additional thoughts on the increasingly scrutinized 65-game minimum rule and discuss what the future holds for Cam Thomas after being waived by two tanking teams within a month
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Duration:00:44:23
The Lakers & Knicks Finally Get Through Midseason Struggles (w/ Rachel Nichols)
3/24/2026
Chris Mannix and Rachel Nichols discuss whether there will be any updates on league expansion or the Clippers investigation at the Board of Governors meetings before discussing the Lakers winning nine in a row behind Luka Dončić, why Karl-Anthony Towns keeps getting criticized even when the Knicks win, and what is going wrong for the Rockets to end the season
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Duration:00:44:51
Lakers Are Actually Contenders & Is Expansion Really Needed? (w/ Rachel Nichols)
3/20/2026
Chris Mannix and Rachel Nichols break down the Lakers sweeping the Rockets in a two-game series behind improved play from Deandre Ayton and a new role for LeBron James, why the NBA's 65-game minimum rule is hurting the competitive MVP race, and whether the league really needs to expand to 32 teams
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Duration:00:47:54
Spurs Gaining on OKC & Clippers Improbable Turnaround (w/ Derek Fisher)
3/16/2026
Chris Mannix is joined by 18-year NBA vet Derek Fisher to break down how Victor Wembanyama should be in the MVP discussion if the Spurs can overtake the Thunder, the Clippers miraculous turnaround following a 6-20 start to the year, and why both L.A. teams could pull an upset in the playoffs
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Duration:00:27:01
Tatum Still Working His Way Back & Inside NBA Fights (w/ Evan Turner)
3/13/2026
Chris Mannix and Evan Turner break down how LeBron James is elevating his play towards the end of the season to propel the Lakers, how Jayson Tatum is looking after three games back, Jaylen Brown's questionable ejection on national TV, how much players should defend a teammate after they're disrespected on the court, and how the Orlando Magic are playing to their potential after underwhelming this far
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Duration:00:35:12
Lakers Better Without LeBron? & SGA Locks In MVP (w/ Rachel Nichols)
3/11/2026
Chris Mannix & Rachel Nichols break down how Jayson Tatum looked in his first three games back, why the Lakers keep showing that they're better without LeBron James in the lineup, if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's game winner against Denver locked in his second straight MVP award, and if the Pistons four game losing streak means they aren't the favorites in the east
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Duration:00:51:47
Jayson Tatum Will Officially Return & Hornets Are on FIRE (w/ Evan Turner)
3/5/2026
Chris Mannix & Evan Turner break down Jayson Tatum being expected to make his season debut 10 months after tearing his achilles, how far the red hot Charlotte Hornets could go this season and beyond, and the recent sideline tiff between Luka Doncic and JJ Redick
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Duration:00:40:00
Lu Dort vs. Jokic & Joe Mazzulla's Coaching Masterclass (w/ Rachel Nichols)
3/3/2026
Chris Mannix and Rachel Nichols break down how much Giannis Antetokounmpo & Trae Young will play after returning from injury, Lu Dort's cheap shot on Nikola Jokic, if the Knicks will show up in the playoffs after an up and down season, why Joe Mazzulla is the front runner for coach of the year, and if Cooper Flagg or Kon Knueppel is more deserving of rookie of the year
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Duration:00:47:08
Lakers Will Be One and Done & The Bulls Decide to Tank (w/ Evan Turner)
2/27/2026
Chris Mannix and Evan Turner break down the Lakers recent losing streak and why their big names not meshing together signals a first round loss for the franchise. We also get into why the Pelicans need to trade a finally healthy Zion Williamson this offseason and why the Bulls are desperate for some lottery luck to pull them out of obscurity
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Duration:00:32:07
Spurs Are Ready For a Title & NBA Addresses Tanking (w/ Rachel Nichols)
2/23/2026
Chris Mannix and Rachel Nichols break down how Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs could be ready to compete for a title this year despite their rosters limited playoff experience, Joe Mazzulla remaining tight lipped on if Jayson Tatum will return soon, Adam Silver addressing the reps for every team on how the league is unhappy with tanking, and where LeBron will spend his (possible) final season
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Duration:00:46:32
Can Tatum Find A Role This Year & LeBron's Cavalier Retirement Odds (w/ Evan Turner)
2/19/2026
Chris Mannix and Evan Turner share there thoughts on why college basketball coaches go after the media so often before discussing the good and bad of all star weekend, if Jayson Tatum can help the Celtics in a smaller role this season, and if James Harden's presence can lure LeBron James to Cleveland for his final season
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Duration:00:40:34
Are the Boston Celtics the Team to Beat in the East If Jayson Tatum Returns?
2/17/2026
Chris Mannix is joined by NBA on NBC’s and former Atlanta Hawks executive Grant Liffmann to break down a loaded NBA conversation coming out of All-Star Weekend.
The guys recap the biggest takeaways from NBA All-Star Weekend 2026, including why this year’s All-Star Game felt more competitive than in recent seasons and how young stars like Victor Wembanyama are beginning to take control of the spotlight. They also debate whether the NBA needs to overhaul All-Star Saturday Night, including a serious discussion on replacing the Dunk Contest with a 1-on-1 tournament.
Plus, Adam Silver’s latest comments on tanking spark a deeper conversation about competitive integrity, draft pick protections, and whether the current system is creating unintended consequences around the league.
And looking ahead to the playoff race: If Jayson Tatum returns, do the Boston Celtics become the team to beat in the Eastern Conference? Mannix and Liffmann analyze what Tatum’s potential return could mean for the Celtics, the balance of power in the East, and which dark horse contenders could make noise in the second half of the season.
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Duration:00:46:54
The Kawhi Leonard Aspiration Scandal Continues (w/ Pablo Torre)
2/13/2026
Chris Mannix talks to Pablo Torre about his ongoing investigation into the Kawhi Leonard/Steve Ballmer cap circumvention scandal, how the paper trail continues to grow, and what Adam Silver might say about the league's investigation at all star weekend
Chris also speaks to NBA hall of famer George Karl about the new Amazon documentary 'Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association', his time in the ABA with the San Antonio Spurs, and what he thinks of today's game
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Duration:00:51:33
Will A.D. Get A Big Extension & The NBA's HUGE Tanking Problem (w/ Rachel Nichols)
2/10/2026
Chris Mannix and Rachel Nichols break down the comments made by Anthony Davis about joining the Wizards and if he'll get the extension he wants from Washington. We also discuss the egregious tanking done by the Jazz, the ways the league could discourage the entire league from losing on purpose, and the scrap pile that all star weekend has turned into
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Duration:00:43:32
The Trade Deadline Ends & Tanking Season Begins (w/ Rachel Nichols)
2/7/2026
Chris Mannix and Rachel Nichols break down a very eventful trade deadline and get into why the Wizards trade for Anthony Davis is a great move for the oft struggling franchise, how long Giannis Antetokounmpo will remain with the Bucks after no deal was made for the superstar, why more teams than ever have no reason to win for the rest of the season, and and the important ramifications of the Clippers dealing Ivica Zubac to the Pacers
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Duration:00:50:16
Trade Deadline Moves Begin While Harden Wants Out...Again (w/ Rachel Nichols)
2/3/2026
Chris Mannix and Rachel Nichols break down Jaren Jackson Jr. being dealt to the Jazz and why Utah is still going to tank creatively to land a future star in this years draft. We also discuss if the Timberwolves are trying to set up their own trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo after making a move of their own, hw better the Celtics are with the newly acquired Nikola Vučević, and what is going on exactly with James Harden demanding a trade out of the blue
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Duration:01:03:34
Giannis Has Played His Last Game for the Bucks (w/ Rachel Nichols)
1/29/2026
Chris Mannix and Rachel Nichols break down the reports that the Bucks are listening to aggressive trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo after the future hall of famer expressed his desire to play for another team. We discuss if the Bucks will wait until the offseason to deal Giannis, which teams will make a play for him, and if a trade will pay off for the lucky franchise
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Duration:00:32:02
Clippers Miraculous Turnaround & The Warriors Steph Curry Dilemma (w/ Evan Turner)
1/27/2026
Chris Mannix and Evan Turner break down how the red hot Clippers have entered the play in mix after a 6-21 start and if James Harden should save his energy for a playoff run. We also discuss why the Warriors need to sit down with Steph to discuss what the teams future should be and how Giannis Giannis Antetokounmpo's calf injury could impact the trade talks surrounding him
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Duration:00:36:12
Pistons Try to Outrun Celtics & Warriors Kuminga Conflict (w/ Rachel Nichols)
1/22/2026
Chris Mannix and Rachel Nichols break down how the red hot Pistons may have Jayson Tatum and the Celtics on their heels if the all star returns for Boston this season before discussing Mike Dunleavy's comments on Jonathan Kuminga's trade demand and the Knicks suffering their worst loss of the season
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Duration:00:41:18
