High Early Season Ratings & Wemby/Sabonis/Giannis Injuries

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) and Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), the guys start the show by discussing a successful first month for the NBA as they've seen the highest ratings in 15 years. A look at how social media, new stars and NBC have played a role in the boost. Next, a pair of injuries out West as Wemby goes down for 1-2 weeks and Sabonis goes down for 3-4 weeks. How the Spurs and Kings will try and staty afloat and why it's time for the Kings to blow it up already. In Who's Ballin Who's Fallin, LeBron's All-NBA streak is in jeopardy, Cooper Flagg is starting to heat up, LaMelo is apparently happy in Charlotte and Giannis will miss some time for the Bucks. Finally, another round of Immaculate Grid. Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts and watch the show on YouTube!

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) and Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), the guys start the show with the Pelicans firing Willie Green as coach. A discussion if Willie was the scapegoat and what the Pelicans should do next with Zion Williamson continuing to deal with injuries. Next, Bradley Beal is out for the season with a hip fracture. How the Clippers can potentially replace his production and if they need to make a move now. A quick look at the West then before the guys dive into Nico Harrison getting fired as GM of the Mavericks after a 3-10 start to the team. A final look at his tenture and the Luka trade and if post-Nico firing, the Mavs are likely to trade Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. In Who's Ballin Who's Fallin, Steph Curry leaves Under Armour, Christian Braun will miss 6 weeks with an ankle sprain, the surging Pistons and Pat Bev's arrest. Finally, the return of Immaculate Grid. Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts and watch the show on YouTube!

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) and Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), Kevin is joined by WOKV's Chase Bunker (@chasebunker) to first survey the league almost ten games into the new season. Who has surprised us and who has disappointed? Then, Ja Morant voices his displeasure with the Grizzlies and gets suspended for a game. An early debate about what the market value for Ja Morant would be if he's traded and if there's any hope of salvaging the relationship in Memphis. Finally, in Who's Ballin Who's Fallin, the Lakers white guys, Wemby meets his Star Wars heroes, a slow start for the Magic and a season ending injury for Walker Kessler. Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts and watch the show on YouTube!

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) and Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), Kevin is joined by Osceola Magic play-by-play voice Nick Gryniewicz (@GetNickG) to first discuss their initial reaction to the first week of the NBA season. Hot starts for the Thunder, Spurs and Sixers plus if Houston needs some time to adjust, how expectations might be skewed in Dallas and a barrage of 50-point games. Next, the gambling scandal that is rocking the NBA. Trail Blazers head coach Chauncy Billups and Terry Rozier have been arrested for their role in rigged poker games and betting on NBA games. What's next and a discussion about the league's relationship with gambling. In Who's Ballin Who's Fallin, VJ Edgecombe, Jonathan Kuminga joining the Warriors starting lineup, a slow start for the Magic and Shaq's SUV getting stolen. 

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) and Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), the guys start the show (and 13th season!) by talking the Kings signing Russell Westbrook and re-signing Keegan Murray to a long-term extension. Do these moves make sense and where can we expect the Kings to end up in a loaded Western Conference. After the break, a look at the West and who can realistically challenge OKC and if there's any surprise leaps. Out East, who can take advantage of a wide-open conference. In Who's Ballin Who's Fallin, LeBron doesn't retire, Malcom Brogdon does retire, season 2 of Starting 5 and some Lakers talk. Finally, another round of Immaculate Grid.

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) and Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), the guys are back! A catchup on Kevin's vacation and a look back at last week's episode with Justin and Chase Bunker plus of course, some Jacksonville talk. In Warm Up Jumpers, Fred VanVleet has torn his ACL during an offseason workout. What this means for Houston's standing in the West and what their options will be moving forward. Then, the Sixers are back being the Sixers. Jared McCain suffers a setback with a torn UCL and it's still unclear when Joel Embiid and Paul George will play. The guys also talk Quentin Grimes new deal and what it means long term. Next, a trip to the Bay as the Warriors re-sign Jonathan Kuminga, ending a long offseason saga. They also talk the Warriors adding Al Horford. Finally, Who's Ballin Who's Fallin and another round of Immaculate Grid.

The NBA just changed the rulebook: failed end-of-period heaves no longer count against a player’s shooting stats — but is this protecting stars or hurting the game? We dive into the history of the league’s greatest (and worst) heave-takers, from Curry’s magic touch to Kobe’s one lonely make. Then we unravel the latest twists in the Kawhi Leonard scandal, where endorsement money, ownership ties, and injury timelines raise serious questions for the Clippers. Plus, the Knicks quietly add Malcolm Brogdon while the Spurs launch a pricey new fan section for Wemby Nation. Guest host Chase Bunker joins us to break down who’s ballin’, who’s fallin’, and who’s just letting the shot clock expire.

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) and Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), the guys start with Justin's return! What the guys have been up to this summer and why jumping back into a gym routine isn't quite the same in your 30's. In Warm Up Jumpers, more rumors regarding the All-Star format which involve two U.S. teams playing the world. What the guys think the rosters for each squad would look like and they debate who will come out on top. Next, the Clippers are accused of circumventing the salary cap with Kawhi Leonard. The duo takes a look at the early details and what could potentially happen if the NBA finds any wrongdoing. In Who's Ballin Who's Fallin, new deals for Cam Thomas and PJ Washington and Gilbert Arenas's take on the Clippers. Finally, the guys get back to some Immaculate Grid. Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts and watch the show on YouTube.

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) and Justin Cousart (@JustinContheAir), Kevin is joined by Ryan Mayer (@r_mayer) from The Athletic. The guys start the episode with Jeremy Lin announcing his retirement from basketball. A look back at Linsanity from when Kevin and Ryan lived in New York and why it was more fun than anything else. Next, the NBA has released the full 2025 schedule. A look at some of the highlights including opening night and Christmas Day games. Does anybody have a reason to gripe? We further discuss the early start again to the NBA Cup and why it takes a lot of steam out of it. Along with the schedule, the duo debates the Western Conference and which teams are in the best position headed in 2025. Can anybody in the East keep up? Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts and watch the show on YouTube.

On this episode of The Drive & Dish NBA podcast, hosted by Kevin Rafuse (@rafusetolose) & Justin Cousart, Kevin is joined by Carlton Cabey (@Carlton_KB) as they start the show by talking John Wall's retirement. A look back at his career and why the guys think it will age well plus a quick comparison between John Wall and Gilbert Arenas and why Carlton thinks the Wizards could have done more around Wall. Next, the Lakers sign Luka Doncic and the guys discuss the new era of Lakers basketball featuring Luka and debate again whether LeBron should try to make a move or stick in Los Angeles. The Spurs have signed a 4-year extension with De'Aaron Fox and the guys discuss where the Spurs stack up in a loaded Western Conference and why it's time for the them to start winning games. Rick Carisle also has signed a multi-year extension to coach the Pacers as we get Carlton's opinion on a weaker Eastern Conference. Finally, stick around for some NFL thoughts ahead of the Eagles/Dolphins upcoming seasons, Carlton's Panthers winning back to back Stanley Cups and Carlton's new cologne page (@SmellGoodChronicals) and how he got into the hobby. Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts and watch the show on YouTube.