BRING IT IN

The TrueHoop podcast is on Spotify, Apple, and right here. On today's special episode Jarod Hector is joined by The Real Deal podcast host, NBA and Real Madrid fan Sid Ramsundar. They discuss: * Sid's entry to fandom in American sports * The evolution of the NBA * Building a winner in the NBA and world class soccer * Similarities between the two sports * Transcendent talent * Predictive injury analysis This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

The TrueHoop podcast is on Spotify, Apple, and right here. On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * Team USA's victory over South Sudan. The US played well again and David was impressed with South Sudan and head coach Royal Ivey. * Is Bam Adebayo the three-point shooter a thing? * Team USA's best lineup is KD, Bam, Ant-Man, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White and it's because of their defense. * Jarod's not worried about Steph's offense, but he's noticing the shortcomings on defense. David is concerned about both ends of the court. * KD goes on Twitter to talk rigid structure versus random play, which is better? This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * Henry Abbott's article on the wear and tear NBA basketball does to the athletes' bodies * Team USA dominates Serbia, what did David see? * Turning down an extra year on an NBA contract for the chance of making more money later This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

The TrueHoop podcast is on Spotify, Apple, and right here. On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * Paul George signing a four year deal with the 76ers. Could that money have been better spent? * The Thunder added Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein to an already elite defense, what's the plan? * Mavericks retool with Klay Thompson, is he a key piece in a return trip to the Finals? * Are the Clippers heading towards a rebuild? * Chris Paul mentoring Victor Wembanyama * A word on player development Thank you for listening to TrueHoop! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

The TrueHoop podcast is on Spotify, Apple, and right here. On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * What's it like for players already in the league on draft day? * Round 1 surprises * David's article on what teams get wrong about the draft * Bronny James concerns * Mikal Bridges trade Thank you for listening to TrueHoop! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

The TrueHoop podcast is on Spotify, Apple, and right here. On today's show Jarod Hector is joined by NBA.com senior writer Michael C. Wright. They discuss: * What the Celtics have shown the rest of the NBA * How teams should look at the upcoming NBA draft * How will the Spurs look to build around Victor Wembanyama through the draft? Thank you for listening to TrueHoop! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

The TrueHoop podcast is on Spotify, Apple, and right here. On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * The Timberwolves had a nice postseason run, how do they sustain success? * How does the Celtics' offense wear down opponents? * Will Kristaps Porzingis be ready for the finals? * How important are Jrue Holiday and Derrick White? * The Mavericks' offensive simplicity * How do you stop Luka Doncic? * Mavericks' role players * Kyrie Irving being assertive Thank you for listening to TrueHoop! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

The TrueHoop podcast is on Spotify, Apple, and right here. On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * The Cavaliers outlasting the Magic in Game 7. What's next for Orlando and does Cleveland have a shot against Boston? * Are the Pacers mature enough to beat the Knicks? Will the Knicks run out of gas? * Should the defending champion Nuggets be worried? What specific problems do the Wolves present and can the Nuggets overcome with a hobbled Jamal Murray and no bench? * How can the Thunder stop Luka and Kyrie? Can the Thunder out athlete the Mavericks? This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

The TrueHoop podcast is on Spotify, Apple, and right here. On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * The 2-for-1 at the end of quarters in basketball. Is it always the right thing to do? * The Lakers beat the Pelicans and will face the defending champion Nuggets in round one. Has anything changed for the Lakers that would suggest they could win the series? * The 76ers beat the Heat and will play the Knicks in round one. Should the Knicks be worried? How does Joel Embiid look? * The Kings, Pelicans, Bulls and Heat will play for the final two playoff spots * Is the Warriors dynasty finally over? * On Monday's show Jarod and Henry Abbott made David pick playoff winners before he did his homework. Now that he's done studying, has he changed his mind? Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

LISTEN TO THE TRUEHOOP PODCAST: SPOTIFY, APPLE, HERE or by searching “TrueHoop” anywhere you listen. On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * David's article on his pick to win the western conference. The LA Clippers. Does he feel differently after they lost a 21-point lead to the LA Lakers? * Bol Bol has been a net negative player his first five years in the league, but he's been a positive for the Suns in limited action this year  * Jaime Jaquez Jr. and the Miami Heat * Top 5 NBA teams right now Thank you for listening to TrueHoop! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

LISTEN TO THE TRUEHOOP PODCAST: SPOTIFY, APPLE, HERE or by searching “TrueHoop” anywhere you listen. On today's show Jarod Hector and Henry Abbott discuss: * All the handwringing over All-Star weekend * Who is the weekend for and what's it really about? * The NBA and innovation or lack thereof * NBA and misogyny  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

LISTEN TO THE TRUEHOOP PODCAST: SPOTIFY, APPLE, HERE or by searching “TrueHoop” anywhere you listen. On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * Last week, David predicted great things for the Pacers and Pascal Siakam. Since then, Indiana lost to the Blazers and the Suns. But David explains what he saw Rick Carlisle do that made him as confident as ever that the long-term is great. * The Suns are one of the hottest teams in the league, what has sparked their recent good play and is it sustainable? * Assessing the league’s top fifteen players in advanced stats. * The Clippers could end the season as the West’s top seed. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

LISTEN TO THE TRUEHOOP PODCAST: SPOTIFY, APPLE, HERE or by searching “TrueHoop” anywhere you listen. On this special edition of the TrueHoop podcast Jarod Hector is joined by author and the Andrew Mellon Professor of Humanities at Emory University, Valerie Babb. Valerie's latest, The Book of James: The Power, Politics, and Passion of LeBron is the subject of today's episode.  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

LISTEN TO THE TRUEHOOP PODCAST: SPOTIFY, APPLE, HERE or by searching “TrueHoop” anywhere you listen. On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * The Pascal Siakam trade to the Pacers, how does this help boost the team's title chances in the short and long-term? Plus David's fantastic article with even more insight.  * The Suns had a historic fourth quarter comeback this week, can they takeaway anything from that improbable win? * Victor Wembanyama is surging * Top 5 NBA teams right now Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

LISTEN TO THE TRUEHOOP PODCAST: SPOTIFY, APPLE, HERE or by searching “TrueHoop” anywhere you listen. On today's show Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * A listener question on advanced stats overvaluing role players. If you'd like to ask Coach Thorpe a question, send your question to truehoop@truehoop.com * David thinks it will be a busy trade season. What's real and what's not? * What should the six NBA title contenders focus on in the second half of the season? * MLK Day games Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

LISTEN TO THE TRUEHOOP PODCAST: SPOTIFY, APPLE, HERE or by searching “TrueHoop” anywhere you listen. On today's episode Jarod Hector and David Thorpe discuss: * A listener question about closing out on defense. To ask Coach Thorpe a question, email truehoop@truehoop.com * David's article on why the Thunder should trade for Lauri Markkanen right now * The Timberwolves are elite on defense and average on offense with two excellent offensive players, how can this be? * What's next for the Pacers in the wake of the Tyrese Haliburton injury? * Top 5 NBA teams right now This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

LISTEN TO THE TRUEHOOP PODCAST: SPOTIFY, APPLE, HERE or by searching “TrueHoop” anywhere you listen. Closing in on the halfway point of the regular season, the Celtics, 76ers, Thunder, Nuggets, and Clippers look like contenders.  Which means several of the most expensive teams in NBA history (remember all the excitement about the superteams in Golden State, Phoenix, and Milwaukee?) are not, right now, credibly contending.  * David saw Stephen Curry looking miserable against the Raptors in a way that reminded him of LeBron in Cleveland before The Decision. * Giannis recently went on a bit of rant about how everyone in Milwaukee, including the guy who does the laundry, needs to do better.  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

LISTEN TO THE TRUEHOOP PODCAST: SPOTIFY, APPLE, HERE or by searching “TrueHoop” anywhere you listen. On today’s TrueHoop podcast, Henry Abbott and David Thorpe discuss: * A listener question about playing with joy (email your question to truehoop@truehoop.com) which absolutely matters in the case of Immanuel Quickley. * How the Raptors are different after trading OG Anunoby. * Why the TrueHoop podcast doesn't have sports gambling ads. * Why Pascal Siakam would be amazing on the Thunder. * Should the Suns trade Kevin Durant? * The best team in Los Angeles. * The best player in the world. * With a time machine, Joel Embiid would destroy Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. * The league's top five teams. Mentioned in this story: * Ben Krauss's Slow Boring article on the perils of sports gambling. * The Wirecard executive who was really a Russian spy. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

LISTEN TO THE TRUEHOOP PODCAST: SPOTIFY, APPLE, HERE or by searching “TrueHoop” anywhere you listen. On this special edition of the TrueHoop podcast Henry Abbott and Jarod Hector are joined by author Rafi Kohan. Rafi's latest book Trash Talk: The Only Book About Destroying Your Rivals That Isn't Total Garbage is the subject of today's episode.  * Trash talk goes back thousands of years. * The early days of baseball are thick with examples. * Just a few decades ago, the term “trash talk” arrived in the NBA, to describe a Black form of the art, rooted in The Dozens. * The psychology of trash talk and performance. * Draymond Green. Have a happy and healthy New Year! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe

* "Ask Coach Thorpe" where you the audience get to tap into David's big basketball brain. Send questions to truehoop@truehoop.com * Derrick White and winning NBA players * Should the Thunder go all in now to find an All-Star to slot next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren? * The psychology of the Detroit Pistons * Top 5 NBA teams right now Thank you for listening to the TrueHoop podcast! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.truehoop.com/subscribe