#371: Panic time!? Early playoff takeaways

Apologies for some audio issues today! We preview the title favorites, matchup dynamics, possible dark horses, how the playoffs COULD be different (officiating changes, possible trends with rebounding, turnovers, transition game and more). 

Who were the best defenders in 2026? We crown our champions in 6 categories, plus a new BONUS award at the end of the show. Which player appeared in every category this year? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball 

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe to discuss some NBA happenings that occurred during Zach’s podcast hiatus, including the Luka trade, the Suns, 76ers, and Mavericks’ disappointing season, and more (2:31). Then they talk about Monday’s Rockets-Lakers game (29:44) a ...  عرض المزيد

The Ringer's BIll Simmons is joined by Kirk Goldsberry for an all-positive NBA discussion on the exciting NBA talent pool, the contending Cavaliers, and a better than advertised Eastern Conference (01:28). Then they discuss the surging Knicks, Victor Wembanyama's development, how ...  عرض المزيد

The Conference Finals are in full swing and we are starting to learn a lot from these 2025 NBA Playoff trends. In this episode of Mind the Game with LeBron James and Steve Nash, the guys dive into these trends such as, the importance of role players like Alex Caruso and Aaron ...

Happy basketball! NBA ball is so good right now! The Buds get together to talk about the Wizards being the best, the Cavs being good, and the Sixers being only sorta fine. They talk about whether Russell Westbrook owes his time to a reporter (HE DOESN'T), Spencer Dinwittie being ...  عرض المزيد