The Hoop Collective: Biggest Lessons Learned in Early NBA Season

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon for our special Friendsgiving episode as our crew welcomes some of our favorite guests to talk about everything from major NBA storylines to the best type of ice to put in your beverages. In this edition we welcome ESPN’s Anthony Slater to talk if it is time to be concerned about the Warriors, ESPN’s Vince Goodwill to discuss if the Pistons are ready to make a major move to be a contender, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne to talk new info on the sale of the Lakers & detail the arraignment for the NBA gambling investigation, ESPN’s Jamal Collier to break down the state of the Bucks & the future of Giannis, ESPN’s Bobby Marks on teams with the most flexibility in the NBA for the trade deadline, ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk to highlight some key travel components & sacred beverage insight, ESPN’s Mike C. Wright to tell us about his Thanksgiving spread & the latest on the Spurs & Rockets and ESPN’s Malika Andrews joins as she prepares for her first ever Syracuse basketball game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss some of the biggest lessons learned from the early NBA season including why an Anthony Davis trade will be challenging for Dallas, the MVP to this point, some injury concerns, emerging stars and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Kevin Pelton to discuss the reports that LaMelo Ball is open to a trade and some major shakeups in the Lakers’ front office. Then, we dive into our 2025-26 Small Sample-Size Theater to talk Houston’s unique path to the best offense in the NBA, if the Thunder can win over 70 games, the Rookie of the Year race, which conference is better and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss the many injuries to the stars across the NBA and what is causing the rise in players missing time. Then, the guys discuss if the Bucks can survive without Giannis including if the depth in the Eastern Conference could be more challenging than the Western Conference. Plus, with Wembanyama, Castle and Harper sidelined can the Spurs stay alive in the West? Finally, we talk if the vibes around the 76ers are improving and what you can expect from a big matchup between the Rockets & Cavs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss the incredible games we have already seen to start the NBA season including a wild slate of finishes over the weekend. Then, the guys discuss the significance of the Hawks’ success without Trae Young, the Knicks compounding injuries, why the Cavs have not reached their ceiling from last year yet and how wide open the Eastern Conference is. Finally, the crew talks Kevin Durant’s ability to remain an elite scorer, the Pelican’s parting ways with coach Willie Green and if the Thunder could win over 70 games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Vincent Goodwill and Ramona Shelburne to discuss the Clippers’ concerning start to the season, Jokic’s historic performance in LA, why Denver are legit contenders, how LeBron will fit upon returning to the Lakers, the impact of Brunson’s injury on the Knicks and OKC’s dominance over the league thus far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss what led to the firing of Dallas GM Nico Harrison including a unique atmosphere for the Bucks-Mavs game, the impact on the team and why it happened now. Plus, what will happen for the Mavericks moving forward and if they should consider trading Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving. Then, the guys talk a concerning injury to Cleveland’s star guard Darius Garland before discussing the ascension of Stephon Castle in San Antonio and if the Magic are turning things around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk the Pistons looking poised for another big leap forward this season, the Rockets winning games how good teams do, the Suns outperforming expectations, if it's time to panic about the Clippers, Jokic’s dominance, the drama in Dallas and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Anthony Slater and Vincent Goodwill to talk Russell Westbrook’s turn back the clock night, if the Warriors’ early season injuries are a concern for the aging team, the sustainability of the Knicks finding their stride and how wide open the Eastern Conference is. Plus, could Detroit be a potential buyer at the deadline and are the Mavs hurting Cooper Flagg’s development with the squad’s current structure? All that and some bonus storytimes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk Victor Wembanyama looking to bounce back in a big matchup with the Lakers, LA’s surprising start despite injuries, the Cavs getting healthier, the Rockets high powered offense, the latest on Ja Morant’s future in Memphis and the surprising start to the season for the Jazz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices