Central Division Preview with Cain Ross

Ethan makes his return and is joined by guest Kyle Grondin to discuss the top of the Western Conference and how the playoff race is shaking out -Northwest Division and big picture West Playoff talk (4:15) -Thunder (10:30) -Timberwolves (21:00) -Nuggets (46:15) -Warriors (54:00)

Steve, Brett and Mikey are back like Ja Morant to discuss some of this weeks biggest topics in the NBA Grizzlies uphill climb to make the playoffs (1:30) Should we be concerned about The Pacers and what should they do?(19:45) MbiidVP (37:00) Revisiting the Harden trade (54:30)

Steve, Brett and Mikey discuss a few of the more absurd storylines from a whacky week in the NBA before diving into their way too early, quarter season MVP picks.  The great Ball Gate debacle (2:30) Draymond’s “indefinite” suspension (20:00) Quarter Season MVPs (36:30) Zion discussion (51:00)

On a night where Luka Doncic becomes the first player to ever record a first half 25 point triple double, Steve and Kyle discuss the Dallas Mavericks season and future. They switch gears to discuss all that they love about the In Season Tournament (32:45) and how they think it will play out going forward. 

Steve, Brett and Mikey try to hit all the Western Conference teams in 60 minutes but get derailed along the way YOUR #1 seed Minnesota Timberwolves (2:15) Nuggets (9:30) Mavericks (15:00) Thunder (21:00) Suns (27:00) Kangz (33:30) Lakers (40:00) Pels (44:00) Rockets (48:00) Clippers (52:15) Warriors (57:00) Jazz (1:01:00) Blazers (1:03::30) Grizzlies (1:08:00) Spurs (1:10:00)

Steve, Brett and Mikey try to hit all 15 teams in the East in less than 60 minutes - yOu NeVeR tAlK aBoUt ThE cElTiCs (2:30) - Sixers (9:50) - (Zombie?) Heat (17:15) - Pacers (23:00) - Bucks in 6ish minutes (30:00) - Nets (38:45) - Knicks (42:30) - Hawks (46:30) - Magic (49:45) - Cavs (54:30) - Raptors (60:00) - Bulls shit (1:03:00) - Hornets (1:05:30) - Wizards (1:07:15) - Pistons (1:10:35)

Steve is joined by Ethan and Mikey to discuss some of the things we like, and don’t like (cough cough Bally Sports), to begin the season. Also, Ethan introduces his new segment: The League Pass Report on The Toronto Raptors.  -Clippers and Harden/Sixers and Embiid (2:45) -Wemby (11:45) -Regional Sports Networks/NBA viewership issues (19:15) -Ethan jumps on the podium like Pat Bev (36:45) -Raptors League Pass Report (49:00)

(Producers Note: This pod was recorded before the end of the Lakers thrilling 100-95 victory over the Suns so no talk of that game) It’s only been one game but Steve and Producer Mikey call a podcasters only meeting to overreact to the first game of the season between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers. Then they jump around to other league wide topics.  -Instant reactions/The Dame experience/Adrian Griffin the first time coach (1:45) -Giannis adjusting to playing with Dame (16:30) -Sixers/Harden/Daryl Morey talk (20:15) -League Pass corner! (28:40)

The pod starts with a B Team reunion as Ethan has Adler and Mikey on to round out his series of division preview pods, focusing on The Pacific and Northwest Divisions. At the end, there is a bonus segment with our good friend Reilly McDonnell of The Bounce Pass Podcast with an in-depth Trail Blazers preview.   Adler gets EXCITED about The Warriors (3:40) PHX/Sacramento/Lakers/Clippers quick thoughts (12:00) NoBoDy eVeR tAlKs aBoUt Denver (36:00) Adler doesn’t like The Timberwolves (40:40) Realistic expectations VS overreactions for The Thunder (49:45) What to make of The Utah Jazz (1:02:27) Reilly, Brett and Mikey bounce to the Blazers (1:09:45)

International man of mystery and Pacers fan Cain Ross joins the show to chat the young movement taking place in Indiana, how the Cavs can capitalize on last year's 51-win season, the direction of this year's Bulls, and the questions facing Monty Williams in his first season with the Pistons. We also discuss the Bucks for an appropriate amount of time and lament the inevitability of another Conference Finals appearance. Steve will probably like this. Music by Snowmelt Follow Ethan on X: @LayupLane