The Stakes are High in the NBA

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) & Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), Kevin is joined by WSB Assistant Program Director Chris Crawford (@OnAirwithCC) & Orange Observer Sports Editor (@SamBAlbuquerque) to first discuss Team USA struggling in exhabition warm-ups. Is this a blip or a major issue? Plus how does this run have the potential to boost LeBron's legacy even higher. The guys then discuss Evan Mobley signing a max 5-year extension with the Cavaliers. Where does Cleveland tier in the East headed into next season & how can Mobley unlock the next level of his game. Next, Russell Westbrook is headed to Denver. Does this move the needle for the Nuggets? Finally, a tribute to the great Pat Williams who passed away at 84. Leave us a review on iTunes & we'll read them on the show or get the podcast wherever you listen to your favorite podcast. Watch the show on YouTube!

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) & Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), the guys start Warm Up Jumpers with a preview of the Paris 2024 Olympics. First the big news from Team USA with Kawhi Leonard dropping out & Derrick White replacing him. Should Jaylen Brown have beef? Plus the guys take a look at who could give the U.S. the most problems. The guys then dive into Jalen Brunson leaving a significant amount of money on the table as part of his new 4-year extension on the Knicks. Why this deal is so much more than Brunson taking one for the team & what the Knicks can do with the extra savings. The duo then dives into the NBA Cup group releases. Which groups out West & East are the most difficult & who can cruise. Finally, the guys talk the Kings bringing in Demar Derozan. Where does Sacramento rank now in the West? Leave us a review on iTunes & we'll read them on the show or listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the show on YouTube.

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir) & Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose), the guys start the show by discussing Kemba Walker's retirement. Some of their favorite Kemba moments & where he ranks on the all-time Hornets list. Then the pair takes a look at all things NBA free agency. The Sixers land their guy with Paul George, Chris Paul links up with Wemby, the Warriors revamp, Klay to Dallas, the Magic sign KCP & more. What we liked, didn't like and what confused us. After free agency, the guys talk the Pistons hiring J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach in Who's Ballin Who's Fallin as well as an early look at Summer League & the Olympics.  Finally, another round of Immaculate Grid & Justin hates haircuts!? Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts & watch the show on YouTube!

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) & Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), the guys start the show by talking about the Mikal Bridges trade. Where does this move the Knicks in terms of the East & beyond? Is Bridges really worth five first rounders? Plus what this means for Brooklyn moving forward. After that, it's all things NBA draft. First Atlanta who besides taking Zaccharie Risacher at #1, also traded Dejounte Murray to New Orleans. Is Trae Young still on the table? Plus why the guys love the Murray move from the New Orleans side & a debate if this changes things for Brandon Ingram. Then a deeper dive into the draft with our winners & losers & the Lakers actually taking Bronny. In Who's Ballin Who's Fallin the guys talk the Cavs hiring Kenny Atkinson & Andrew Wiggins not playing for Team Canada this summer. Finally, the fastest Immaculate Grid we've done so far. Leave us a review on iTunes & we'll read them on the show. Get the show wherever you find your podcasts & watch the show on YouTube!

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) & Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), the guys start the show by congratulating the Celtics (help us!) on their finals victory over the Mavericks. A final look at how the Celtics got here & a look at what both squads will likely do headed into next season. The guys then also debate if the Finals as a whole have been lackluster in the past few years. Justin & Kevin then dive into the Alex Caruso trade as Kevin argues why it's such a fleecing for the Thunder & how the Bulls are out of their mind. In Who's Ballin Who's Fallin, the guys talk new contracts for Pascal Siakam & Malik Monk, JJ Redick becoming the Lakers coach officially & the Pistons firing Monty Williams. Justin also goes through all the emotions with Brandon Ingram. Finally, another round of Immaculate Grid. Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts & watch the show on YouTube!

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) & Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), the guys start Warm Up Jumpers by paying tribute to Jerry West after he passed away this week. The guys talk about iconic moments from both his playing & executive career. The duo then dives into Games 2-4 of the NBA Finals including how Boston has so thoroughly dominated this series outside of Game 4 and if Dallas has any prayer at all to make some history. In Who's Ballin Who's Fallin, the guys talk Joel Embiid flirting with Paul George & Charles Barkley hanging it up among other topics. Kevin & Justin then discuss Dan Hurley going back to UConn & spurning the Lakers. Is JJ now the default? Are the Lakers that attractive of a job anymore? Finally, another round of Immaculate Grid which includes Justin's finest grid showing (in Kevin's opinion at least). Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts & watch the show on YouTube!

Welcome back to another episode of The Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) & Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir). On this episode, Justin first surprises Kevin with new AI theme songs for the podcast. Which version is the best? Then for Warm Up Jumpers the guys dive into the Lakers hiring former UConn coach Dan Hurley over JJ Redick. Why it makes sense for both now & the future in their eyes & what it means for the last years of the LeBron era. The duo then dives into game 1 of the NBA Finals where Boston wins big. How Boston was able limit the Mavs' role players & if it's sustainable for the rest of the series. The guys debate if Dallas can make enough adjustments for game 2 or if a game 1 blow out was a sign of what's to come. In Who's Ballin Who's Fallin, Kevin & Justin talk a possible extension for Cade Cunningham, Caitlin Clark's early WNBA experience & update the Jontay Porter case. Finally, another round of Immaculate Grid, including Kevin's favorite old school pull yet. Leave us a review on iTunes & listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the show on YouTube!

Welcome back to another episode of The Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir) & Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose). Before diving into the NBA Finals, the guys first discuss some early free agency buzz. Where will Klay Thompson, Paul George, Jimmy Butler & LeBron James be playing next season? The duo then previews all things Finals. Can anyone on Earth slow down Luka & Kyrie right now and does Dallas's reborn supporting cast have enough? Are we overthinking our concerns around Boston when they've been the best team the entire season or was their path too easy? In Who's Ballin Who's Fallin the guys feature Grant Williams feeling extra left out, Dwight Howard's journey in Taiwan and AI press conferences. Kevin & Justin then discuss the level of despair for the Timberwolves & Pacers after their conference finals eliminations & debate what the biggest moves for next year should be for each squad. Finally, another round of Immaculate Grid which might just be the guys finest performance yet. Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts & watch the show on YouTube!

On this episode of the Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) & Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), the guys start warm-up jumpers by discussing the All-NBA Teams & debating if there actually is any controversy regarding the picks. Then the duo dives into the conference finals & what's been a bit of a stutter for Minnesota after taking down Denver & ask if the Boston/Indiana series is already over. In Who's Fallin Who's Fallin, more accodlades for Anthony Edwards, the tragedy of losing Inside the NBA & betting Bronny to be the #1 overall pick. The guys then discuss the levels of despair for Cleveland, New York, Denver & Oklahoma City following their second round eliminations, including Cleveland already making moves by firing J.B. Bickerstaff as Coach. Finally, the pod ends with another round of Immaculate Grid. Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts & watch the show on YouTube!

Today on the show Justin talks with (Guest Host) Chase! They talk some quick hitting NBA news, from Head Coaches Darvin Ham and Frank Vogel being fired to the Atlanta Hawks landing the #1 pick in the NBA Draft. The guys then break down the Playoffs and predict who will be your West and East Conference final matchups. Lastly the guys debate where Jalen Brunson lands on a "Top NBA Players" list... is he top 10?