Ep. 116 Learning Basketball with Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA



Ryan Ward covers the Los Angeles Lakers and NBA with Lakers On SI



Today we learn about this Lakers season – Pat Riley Statue Lakers Legacy, Luka MVP Odds, Magic - Lakers Game Recap + why isn’t the Luka LeBron duo or even the trio with Reaves working? Are the Lakers still real contenders with this elite offense? Thoughts on Head Coach JJ Redick in Year 2? What’s the franchise outlook for the Los Angeles Lakers?


Timeline:


00:00

Introduction & Background

04:35

Pat Riley's Legacy and Statue Reveal

13:46

Current Lakers Dynamics and Coaching Changes

21:52

Controversy Over the Last Shot in Magic - Lakers

23:06

Luka's Fearlessness and Leadership Dynamics

24:46

Analyzing the Trio: LeBron, Luka, and Reeves

27:10

The Lakers' Future: LeBron's Exit Strategy

29:28

Offensive Strategies and Team Chemistry

31:41

Defensive Challenges and Player Fit

35:24

Potential Trades and Future Prospects

40:36

Magic - Lakers Recap and Player Performances

46:02

Bane's Rising Star and Team Dynamics

47:54

Standings and Team Comparisons

49:53

Offensive Strategies and Player Movements

52:53

MVP Conversations and Future Prospects

58:44

The Lakers' Legacy and Future Challenges

Ep. 115 Learning Basketball with Robert Flom @RichHomieFlom
Robert Flom covers the Los Angeles Clippers and NBA as the Managing Editor of 213 Hoops and CoHost of the Lob The Jam podcast.
Today we relive the viral “Eat The Tweet” saga from his perspective beginning to end before we break down the franchise outlook of the Los Angeles Clippers - Kawhi & Garland Duo, Analyzing Harden & Zubac Trades, Clippers Lottery Pick Options at #5, the Garland bet, Mathurin’s role, Niederhauser’s potential, Magic - Clippers Film
“Eat The Tweet" + Kawhi & Garland Clippers with Rob Flom – Analyzing Harden & Zubac Trades, Clippers Franchise Outlook, Garland bet, Mathurin’s role, Niederhauser’s potential, Magic - Clippers Film
Timeline:
00:00

Introduction & Background

02:58

The Viral ‘Eat the Tweet’ Saga

05:47

Analyzing the Clippers' Trades and Future

08:55

Harden's Impact and the Team's Dynamics

12:03

Evaluating the Clippers' Long-Term Strategy

15:07

The Pacers' Perspective on the Trade

16:24

The Importance of Playmaking in the Clippers' Roster

23:31

Kawhi Leonard's Future with the Clippers

29:48

Evaluating Darius Garland's Impact

35:22

The Role of Matheran in the Clippers' Plans

47:33

Building a Competitive Roster for the Future

47:51

Evaluating Young Talent: Yanic Konan Niederhäuser

50:28

The Clippers' Future: Roster Dynamics and Potential

53:19

Playoff Prospects: Assessing the Clippers' Chances

57:07

Last Night’s Game Analysis: Clippers vs. Magic

01:07:41

Thoughts on The Magic’s Season, Bane & Banchero

01:10:17

Coaching Stability: Ty Lue's Role in the Clippers' Future

Ep. 114 Learning Basketball with Chip Williams @ChipWilliamsjr

Chip Williams covers the Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, and NBA Draft Scouting with Film Breakdowns on Twitter and YouTube @TheSecondJump

Today we learn about Jaren Jackson Jr.'s meaning to Memphis, JJJ's development from prospect to actualized unicorn, why the Grizzlies traded Jaren and how long the Grizzlies will hold onto Ja Morant, the Ja-Bane-Brooks-Jaren-Adams Grizz era, Bane's impact on the Magic, and scouting thoughts on potential 2026 NBA Draft Gems - Dailyn Swain, Ebuka Okorie, Allen Graves, Chris Cenac Jr., Morez Johnson, Brayden Burries, Nate Ament

00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 JJJs development

10:00 Why Memphis Kept Ja

15:00 Why Memphis Traded Jaren

18:00 What Jaren and that team meant to Memphis as the era after grit n grind, Jaren being the last to

28:00 Ja Bane Brook Jaren + Bane Trade33:00 Bane Magic impact + 3pt shooting development

47:00 Potential 2026 NBA Draft Gems

Daily Swain

Ebuka Okorie

Allen Graves

Nate Ament

Chris Cenac Jr.

Morez Johnson

Brayden Burries

Ep. 113 Learning Basketball with Charlie Cummings @klaytheist11 Charlie Cummings is an NBA Analyst with Swish Theory and Writer for DraftKings Network, Celtics Blog, and Warriors Invite covering the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and NBA at large.

Today we learn about the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline, discuss why the tanking team's were the biggest buyers making the blockbuster splash trades, the logic behind the moves, the value of trade pieces, and team building logic keying in on three deals – Ivica Zubac to the Pacers, Anthony Davis to the Wizards, Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Jazz

Timeline:00:00 Introduction & Background

02:00 NBA Trade Deadline Reactions

05:00 Teams Fading The 2027 NBA Draft

07:00 Team Building Strategies and Trade Value

10:00 Wizards Risk Assessment Trading for Anthony Davis
31:00 Pacers Risk Assessment Trading for Ivica Zubac
55:00 Jazz Risk Assessment Trading for Jaren Jackson Jr.

01:20:00 Balancing Talent, Lineups, Skills, and Team Needs for Competitive Edge

Ep. 112 Learning Basketball with Spencer Davies @SpinDavies

Spencer Davies is a Cleveland Cavaliers Reporter for Clutch Points and Cavs Roundtable, a National NBA feature writer for RG media, an NBA Draft Writer for Babcock Hoops, and covers NBA at Run The Show

Today we learn about why the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Darius Garland for James Harden, Garland's potential vs Harden's immediate impact, how the Harden-Donovan Mitchell backcourt will work together, how the CP3-Harden-Dantoni Rockets factor in as proof of concept, how Harden's playmaking could put everyone in ideal roles, and how the Cavs created flexibility, shed salary, and improved today's roster with Harden's scoring creation and the added toughness of Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis at the NBA Trade Deadline.

Timeline:

00:00

Introduction and Background of Spencer Davies

01:10

Darius Garland's Impact on the Cavs and Fans

03:55

The Trade Dynamics: Garland for Harden

06:35

Financial Flexibility and Team Strategy

09:26

Harden's Fit with the Cavs

12:05

Offensive and Defensive Considerations

14:48

Playoff Experience and Leadership

17:29

Conclusion and Future Outlook

27:16

Dynamic Duo: The Impact of Mitchell and Harden

30:32

Championship Aspirations: The Cavs' Bold Moves

32:43

Offensive Chemistry: Balancing Stars and Roles

36:09

Future Outlook: The Cavs' Path to the Finals

38:44

Assessing Competition: Who Can Challenge the Cavs?

51:15

The East's Evolution: A Competitive Landscape Ahead

54:12

Eastern Conference Dynamics

55:06

Parody in the NBA

56:30

Orlando Magic's Potential

58:46

Injuries and Team Identity

01:00:39

Winning Ugly: The Magic's Strategy

01:02:01

Cavs' Defensive Strategy

01:05:48

Cavs' Roster Changes and Impact

01:09:29

Schroeder's Role in the Cavs

01:13:27

Finding the Right Fit for the Cavs

01:14:38

Building Team Chemistry

Ep. 111 Learning Basketball with James Plowright @British_Buzz
@SwishTheory
James Plowright is a Freelance NBA Journalist currently working for

@SBnation recently covering Magic-Grizzlies at NBA London, covering the Charlotte Hornets for the Buzz Beat Pod.
Today we learn about the Hornets offense stinging the rest of the league for a #1 rating and winning record going on nearly two months; how did the Hornets turn the season around? How is Moussa Diabate the key that unlocks everything for this starting unit? Who is the primary option between Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, and Brandon Miller? Which role players have made key contributions between Sion James, Collin Sexton, Tre Mann, Liam McNeeley? Who is Hornets best option as longterm starting center between Diabate and Kalkbrenner?
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro & Background
1:00 Drafting All-Star Game Snub Lineups

19:00 How did the Charlotte Hornets season turn around?

27:00 Kon Knueppel’s Impact on the Offense + Who is the primary option between Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, and Brandon Miller?

32:00 How Moussa Diabate entering the starting lineup changed everything

37:00 Highlighting Sion James defense, Collin Sexton scoring, second unit defense with Grant Williams and Josh Green, and potential of Liam McNeeley

43:00 Lonzo Ball Trade Rumors

47:00 Moussa Diabate Film Breakdown vs Wembanyama

51:00 Can Hornets Sustaining Success into Playoffs?

Watch/Listen to full episode of Learning Basketball on YouTube/Spotify/Apple

Ep. 110 Learning Basketball with Roger Galo @GaloMethod

Roger Galo is a NBA Shot-Making & Offensive Efficiency Specialist and author of the upcoming book The Pursuit of the Perfect Shot.

Today we learn about the science of shooting, how new methods of learning how to shoot could be on the frontier, what goes defining all the variables of shot making, what differentiates Steph’s shot from Klay’s form, what makes Jaren Jackson Jr. tough to guard, the mental aspect of shooting, what Lonzo Ball did to change his shot, how Desmond Bane’s Orlando Magic could address their shooting woes, why Maryland guard Darius Adams decided to alter his shooting mechanics, and preview Roger Galo’s new book, The Pursuit of the Perfect Shot.
Timeline:00:00 Introduction & Backgrounds to The Galo Method

03:00 The Science Behind Shot Making

08:00 Identifying Variables in Shooting Mechanics

11:00 Mindfulness in Practice

15:00 NC State Wearable Technology in Shooting Improvement
18:00 How Lonzo Ball Sped Up His Shot

25:00 Revolutionizing Shooting Techniques

34:00 Steph Vs. Klay vs. Jaren – Should Different Shot Types Require Different Shot Mechanics ? (Pull-Up, Movement, Catch-and-Shoot)

39:00 The Mental Aspect of Shooting

44:00 The Importance of Consistency in Shooting

50:00 The Corner Three: A Unique Shot

57:00 Desmond Bane & Orlando Magic Shooting

1:09:00 New Book: The Pursuit of the Perfect Shot

01:18:00 Darius Adams Developing Young Talent

Watch & Listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple!

Ep. 109 Learning Basketball with Ben Pfeifer @bjpf_

Ben Pfeifer covers the NBA, NBA Draft, and Indiana Pacers for Sportscasting NBA and Swish Theory

Today we learn about Ben's draft grading film-based scouting process and detail the best guard class ever while drafting our Top-20 2026 NBA Draft Guards
Timestamps00:00 Introduction & Background

03:00 Ben Pfeifer's Draft Scouting Process

05:00 Defining Winning Plays in Basketball

08:00 Evaluating Defensive Impact in Draft Prospects

11:00 The Importance of Context in Scouting

15:00 Historic Saturday Night for 2026 NBA Draft Freshman

17:00 Spotlight on Tyler Tanner's Potential

23:00 The Challenge of Undersized Guards

26:00 Scouting Profiles and Data Visualization

28:00 The Guards-Only 2026 NBA Draft

29:00 Darryn Peterson

34:00 Kingston Flemings

47:00 Mikel Brown

50:00 Ebuka Okorie

53:00 LaBaron Philon

56:00 Bennett Stirtz

59:00 Meleek Thomas

01:10:00 Darius Acuff

01:27:00 Acaden Lewis
11-20
11 Christian Anderson
12 Brayden Burries
13 Tamin Lipsey
14 Tahaad Pettiford
15 Braden Smith
16 Jaylen Petty
17 Bruce Thornton
18 Rob Wright19 Ja’Kobi Gillespie20 Cayden Boozer