Episodes

The Giannis Effect: Miami's Big Move & NBA Draft Fallout
June 25, 2026

The Giannis Effect: Miami's Big Move & NBA Draft Fallout

The NBA offseason is already delivering fireworks. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the blockbuster trade sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat and examine how the move reshapes the Eastern Conference and the NBA championship landscape. We also wrap up the First Round of 2026 NBA Draft, discussing the biggest winners and losers, our favorite selections, surprise picks, and which rookies are best positioned to make an immediate impact. From franchise-altering t...
2026 NBA Finals Wrap Up | Autopsy Report: Spurs and Knicks
June 18, 2026

2026 NBA Finals Wrap Up | Autopsy Report: Spurs and Knicks

The 2026 NBA Finals are in the books, and we're breaking down how the New York Knicks captured their first championship in decades by dispatching the San Antonio Spurs in a convincing Gentleman’s Sweep.In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we recap the Finals, discuss what went right for the Knicks and what went wrong for the Spurs, and close out the season with our final edition of The Autopsy Report. We examine the futures of both franchises, whether either team can return to the NBA Fi...
The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Thunder, Cavs
June 11, 2026

The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Thunder, Cavs

n this edition of The Autopsy Report, The Baseline NBA Podcast examines the shocking Conference Finals exits of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers. After dominant regular seasons and championship aspirations, both teams fell short of reaching the NBA Finals. We break down what went wrong, from coaching decisions and roster construction to playoff adjustments, star performances, and the critical moments that altered their postseason fate. Were these simply growing pains for two con...
2026 NBA Finals Breakdown: New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs
June 2, 2026

2026 NBA Finals Breakdown: New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs

The stage is set for the 2026 NBA Finals, and The Baseline NBA Podcast is bringing together the full 19 Media Group panel—Cal "Game Face" Lee, Warren Shaw, Desmond Powell, Gerald Brown and Rashard Grove—to break down one of the most compelling Finals matchups in recent memory. New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs isn't just a battle for a championship—it's a clash of history, legacy, and opportunity. he Knicks are seeking their first NBA title since 1973, ending a 53-year championship drought, ...
The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Lakers, Timberwolves, Pistons, Raptors
May 25, 2026

The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Lakers, Timberwolves, Pistons, Raptors

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we open another edition of The Autopsy Report as we break down the seasons and futures of the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors. From championship expectations and playoff disappointments to rebuilding timelines and organizational direction, we examine what went wrong, what still works, and what each franchise must address moving forward. Are the Lakers running out of time? Did the Timberwolves miss their...
NBA Conference Finals Preview: Cavs vs Knicks | Spurs vs Thunder
May 18, 2026

NBA Conference Finals Preview: Cavs vs Knicks | Spurs vs Thunder

The road to the NBA Finals is officially set. In this special live edition of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we react to the Cleveland Cavaliers dominant Game 7 win over the Detroit Pistons and discuss the biggest takeaways from one of the most physical semifinal series of the postseason. Then we preview both NBA Conference Finals matchups as the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare to battle the New York Knicks in the East, while San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder clash in the West. From superstar m...
Front Office Power Moves, Lottery Chaos & the Sixers Collapse
May 13, 2026

Front Office Power Moves, Lottery Chaos & the Sixers Collapse

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the biggest stories shaping the league, beginning with the Dallas Mavericks making major front office moves by hiring Masai Ujiri as President and Alternate Governor and naming Mike Schmitz General Manager. What does this mean for the Mavericks’ long-term vision and roster direction? We also discuss Steve Kerr becoming the NBA’s highest-paid coach as the Golden State Warriors reportedly prepare to extend Stephen Curry and aggressively pu...
The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Celtics, Nuggets, Rockets
May 5, 2026

The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Celtics, Nuggets, Rockets

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we open up The Autopsy Report on three teams whose playoff exits raised more questions than answers — the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets. Each entered the postseason with expectations, but all three were unceremoniously bounced in the first round, forcing a hard look at roster construction, star leadership, coaching decisions, and long-term direction. What went wrong for Boston? Are Denver’s championship windows tightening? And di...
The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Bucks and Bulls
April 30, 2026

The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Bucks and Bulls

This week, we put the spotlight on two Eastern Conference teams that fell short of expectations — the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls. The Bucks’ season unraveled in the most unexpected ways. A struggling defense, inconsistent guard play, and lack of depth led to a disappointing finish outside the playoff picture. While there were flashes from emerging contributors, the overall roster construction raised serious questions about the team’s direction moving forward. Meanwhile, the Bulls leaned i...
The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Warriors & Hornets
April 21, 2026

The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Warriors & Hornets

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we dive into another edition of The Autopsy Report, breaking down the current state of the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets. For Golden State, we examine what’s gone wrong — Is this the final run with Kerr, Draymond and Steph under "The Town" from roster construction and inconsistent production to the challenges of sustaining a championship core in today’s NBA On the other side, the Charlotte Hornets have shown flashes of promise but contin...
FaceTime with The Baseline ft Sascha Gardener
April 14, 2026

FaceTime with The Baseline ft Sascha Gardener

In this episode, we sit down with documentary filmmaker Sascha Gardner, one of the creative minds behind Netflix’s acclaimed Untold series. Known for uncovering the deeper stories behind some of sports’ most misunderstood moments, Gardner joins us to discuss his latest project, Untold: Jail Blazers. We dive into the story of the early 2000s Portland Trail Blazers—an immensely talented team whose legacy became overshadowed by controversy and the infamous “Jail Blazers” label. Gardner breaks down ...
2026 NBA Playoff Blueprint: Play-In Battles, First-Round Wars & New Contenders
April 12, 2026

2026 NBA Playoff Blueprint: Play-In Battles, First-Round Wars & New Contenders

The NBA Playoffs are here and The Baseline crew pulled up with a full 2026 Play-In + First Round preview — East and West.Cal Lee, Warren Shaw, and Jabari Davis break down every major matchup with a blend of X’s and O’s, culture talk, and that honest playoff energy:In this episode: East Play-In & Seeding Hornets vs Heat: Is Charlotte officially the team nobody wants to see? Why Miami’s “we’ll figure it out in April” energy might finally catch up to them Sixers vs Magic: Maxey, PG and depth vs Orl...
The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Nets, Jazz & Mavs
April 8, 2026

The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Nets, Jazz & Mavs

This week, The Autopsy Report continues as we break down the Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks—three teams at very different stages, but all facing critical organizational questions.We examine roster construction, front office vision, and whether each franchise has a clear identity or is still searching for direction. From Brooklyn’s reset, to Utah’s asset-driven approach, to Dallas navigating a win-now window, we’re digging into what’s working, what’s not, and what comes next.Is th...
The 2026 Autopsy Reports : Wizards, Pacers & Kings
April 1, 2026

The 2026 Autopsy Reports : Wizards, Pacers & Kings

The season’s over… now it’s time to examine what went wrong. In this debut installment of The Autopsy Report, we put the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Sacramento Kings on the table and break down the real causes behind their early playoff...
FaceTime w/ The Baseline: Inside Meal Ticket — The Story Behind the McDonald’s All-American Legacy
March 24, 2026

FaceTime w/ The Baseline: Inside Meal Ticket — The Story Behind the McDonald’s All-American Legacy

In this special edition of FaceTime w/ The Baseline, we sit down with filmmakers Corey Colvin and Carlton Sabbs, the visionary directors behind the Prime Video documentary Meal Ticket. Hailing from Chicago, the duo brings a powerful blend of storytelling, culture, and lived experience to the screen. We dive into their creative journey, their transition into feature documentary filmmaking, and how their backgrounds in music, sports, and visual storytelling shaped the making of Meal Ticket. The fi...
What We Got Right… and Wrong: NBA Season Reality Check
March 18, 2026

What We Got Right… and Wrong: NBA Season Reality Check

The NBA season has been a roller coaster — and it’s time for a reality check. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we revisit our preseason predictions and break down what we got right… and what we completely missed. From rising stars to unexpected team success, we take an honest look at how the season has unfolded. We discuss why our tempered expectations for Amen Thompson proved accurate, how the San Antonio Spurs — led by Victor Wembanyama — are ahead of schedule, and why Kon Knueppel...
Proof of Life: The Non-Playoff Teams That Could Break Through Next Year
March 10, 2026

Proof of Life: The Non-Playoff Teams That Could Break Through Next Year

Not every non-playoff team is truly rebuilding — some are simply waiting for the right moment to break through. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we introduce “Proof of Life,” a deep-dive exercise where we identify one team from the Eastern Conference and one from the Western Conference that could rise from outside the playoff picture and reach the postseason next year. We examine teams like the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, Dalla...
Re-Evaluating the 2018 NBA Draft: Hits, Misses & Franchise Changers
March 3, 2026

Re-Evaluating the 2018 NBA Draft: Hits, Misses & Franchise Changers

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we re-evaluate and re-draft the 2018 NBA Draft class featuring Luka Dončić, Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, and DeAndre Ayton. With multiple All-NBA players, franchise cornerstones, and late-pick steals emerging from this class, we break down the biggest hits, the most surprising misses, and how the draft order should look today. Was DeAndre Ayton the right No. 1 overall pick? Should Luka have gone first? How high would SGA and Bru...
NBA Playoff Push: Jalen Green, Tyler Herro, Jabari Smith Jr & Benedict Mathurin Step Up
Feb. 23, 2026

NBA Playoff Push: Jalen Green, Tyler Herro, Jabari Smith Jr & Benedict Mathurin Step Up

The NBA playoff push is here, and the spotlight is on the players who can change everything. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the stretch-run impact of Jalen Green (Phoenix Suns), Tyler Herro (Miami Heat), Jabari Smith Jr....
Adam Silver's Lining Playbook: NBA Tanking, Expansion & the League’s Future
Feb. 16, 2026

Adam Silver's Lining Playbook: NBA Tanking, Expansion & the League’s Future

The NBA is at a turning point — and Commissioner Adam Silver knows it. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down Adam Silver’s latest press conference and what it means for the future of the NBA, including the league’s growing...
Buzz City Rising: Are the Hornets for Real?
Feb. 10, 2026

Buzz City Rising: Are the Hornets for Real?

Buzz City is alive. The Charlotte Hornets have ripped off their first nine-game winning streak since 1999 and now sit just one win away from tying the franchise record set in 1997-98. In just three weeks, they’ve gone from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to the 10th seed at 25-28 — completely flipping their season. So what changed? We break down the Hornets’ stunning surge, powered by a true “committee” approach: Brandon Miller emerging as the offensive engine, leading the team in scoring i...
Deadline Energy with Kwab: Giannis Watch, Kidd Responds & Risky Contenders
Feb. 4, 2026

Deadline Energy with Kwab: Giannis Watch, Kidd Responds & Risky Contenders

https://x.com/kwabakayesfrom Thttps://x.com/thedimenba joins the show as we break down Jason Kidd’s recent clap back, the looming Giannis factor, and why much of the league feels frozen waiting for that pin to drop. We dive into the latest NBA Trade...
NBA Rivals Week Under the Microscope + Say Less on LeBron, Kuminga, Knicks & Rich Paul
Jan. 27, 2026

NBA Rivals Week Under the Microscope + Say Less on LeBron, Kuminga, Knicks & Rich Paul

This week’s episode is a must-listen as our brother from another mother Jabari Davis joins the show as guest co-host, and we waste no time diving into everything happening around the NBA. We kick things off with our thoughts on NBA Rivals Week, asking the big question: Was it a Heated Rivalry… or just Lukewarm Competition? Did the matchups deliver real intensity, or was the hype louder than the product? From there, we break down the latest league headlines, including: Giannis Antetokounmpo expec...
More Than Basketball: MLK Day Legacy & Must-Watch NBA Matchups
Jan. 18, 2026

More Than Basketball: MLK Day Legacy & Must-Watch NBA Matchups

On this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we reflect on the 40-year legacy of MLK Day in the NBA, inspired by Dominique Wilkins’ powerful memories of playing in the very first MLK Day games in Atlanta. More than a date on the schedule, MLK Day represents responsibility, sacrifice, and the platform the league continues to stand on today. We then shift to the court with MLK Day game previews, breaking down Bucks vs. Hawks, Thunder vs. Cavaliers, Mavericks vs. Knicks, and Celtics vs. Pistons — h...