The Hoop Collective: Most Surprising Starts To The Season + NBA Cup Preview

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

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk Ja Morant’s suspension and his future in Memphis before diving into the Lakers’ strong start and the Heat’s change in offensive approach. Plus, the Pelicans disastrous start to the season, the Thunder’s historic start, the Mavs’ offense struggling and reaction to our voicemail line. 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 start of the NBA Cup before diving into some of the most surprising starts to the NBA season. The guys tackle the Bulls’ incredible start, the Hawks and Magic struggling, the best backcourt in basketball, Austin Reaves’ incredible run and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and current partner in Pryor Cashman & former SDNY Complex Frauds & Cybercrime Chief Katherine Reilly to break down the NBA’s gambling scandal. The crew tackles how this case moves forward, why the NBA cleared Rozier, how strong the case is for each of the two indictments, why Billups was only fully listed in one indictment 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 some of the most interesting results from the NBA’s opening week of action. The guys break down some notable injuries, expectations for Cooper Flagg, some insane scoring outbursts, the future of tanking, if Celtics fans should be worried and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices