Open Floor: SI's NBA Show

SI NBA

From the NBA Draft to the playoffs and back again, Chris Mannix, Rachel Nichols, and Evan Turner take you on a ride across the NBA standings, laying out the latest news and rumors along the way and leaving no basketball conspiracy theory stone left unturned.

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536 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes536

Newest first

Apr 24, 2020 · 1 hr 6 min
First impressions of Michael Jordan's "Last Dance," NBA name games
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina deliver their first impressions of the first two episodes of "The Last Dance," the 10-part documentary about Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. Was Jerry Krause portrayed fairly? Should Scottie Pippen have gone nuclear? Was 1985 Michael Jordan the coolest person in world history? How would young MJ have reacted to The Process? From there, they shift gears to take questions from the Open Floor Globe. Which NBA players would have had better careers if they had cooler names? Which stars would have fallen short if their names were less cool? And which players in today's game have the best names? They close with follow-ups on FIBA's numbering system and Luka Doncic's "77" number gaffe. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 21, 2020 · 1 hr 6 min
Last Dance hype, NBA numerology, Basketball stars as track athletes
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open with a quick rundown of the excitement around "The Last Dance," the Michael Jordan documentary, but decide to save their full commentary until Friday to avoid early spoilers. From there, they recap NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's recent press conference and pivot to questions from the Open Floor Globe. Why are certain numbers like 32 so popular in basketball? Which NBA players would make the best track and field athletes? Would Zion Williamson be a good shotputter? Would LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo win the decathlon? Finally, they discuss which modern players would have been better in the 1980s and 1990s and which players would have been worse. They close by saying thanks to a 10-year-old listener. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 17, 2020 · 1 hr 4 min
Previewing ESPN's "The Last Dance" documentary about Michael Jordan's Bulls
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina offer an extended preview of "The Last Dance," ESPN's 10-part documentary about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Ben teases some memorable scenes, lays out Jordan's participation in the project, and describes how the series came together. From there, they shift to a recent SB Nation feature on the most memorable "Title-less" teams in NBA history and Michael recaps some of the saddest title defenses. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 14, 2020 · 1 hr 10 min
Rudy Gobert fake trades, Our biggest draft misses, NBA inspirations
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina dig deep into the strained relationship between Utah Jazz stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell. They lay out the importance of both players to the franchise and explore Gobert trade scenarios. Which teams should target Gobert? How should the Jazz rework themselves around Mitchell? Then, Michael lays out his three favorite fake trades. From there, Ben and Michael answer two questions from the Open Floor Globe. What are their favorite Draft hits and misses over the years? Which NBA figures provide them with daily inspiration? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 10, 2020 · 1 hr 18 min
The most overrated NBA players, coaches, front offices & owners
In response to a question from the Open Floor Globe, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina sift through nominees for the NBA's most overrated figures. They debate the likes of Mike D'Antoni, Reggie Miller, Chris Paul and the "Big 3" Celtics and discuss what exactly it means for someone to be "overrated" in the NBA context. Then, Ben and Michael make their own lists of current players, coaches, owners and front offices. Along the way, they dissect Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid, Kyle Kuzma, Kemba Walker, Jamal Murray, Devin Booker, Julius Randle, the Warriors' owners and the Spurs' front office. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 7, 2020 · 1 hr 9 min
Best and Worst HORSE players, 1990s cult heroes, no-ring-yet Dream Team
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open by diving deep into the NBA's proposal to launch a HORSE tournament during quarantine. Is the NBA desperate? Are we desperate enough to watch? Which players make the dream field and which players would be absolutely horrible? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. Which cult heroes of the 1990s are worth re-watching on YouTube? Should the NBA change its MVP voting procedure to adopt daily updates like Australian Rules Football? Which players would form our no-ring-yet Dream Teams? Should free Legos have been part of the USA's COVID stimulus program? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 3, 2020 · 1 hr 19 min
Best games of 2019-20, coronavirus mid-life crises, past greats in modern NBA
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open with Michael's story on a Palo Alto company's ranking of the most memorable games of the 2019-20 season. What does the company's algorithm prioritize? Does it have any blind spots? And what were Ben and Michael's favorite games of the season? From there, they dive into questions from the Open Floor Globe. Will the coronavirus trigger mid-life crises and retirements from coaches and players? Should non-NBA basketball stars be invited to All-Star Weekend in some way? Which stars of the 1990s and 2000s would be the most fun to watch in the modern era? What have been the biggest changes to the NBA media landscape over the last 20 years? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 31, 2020 · 1 hr 7 min
Hakeem's what-if, MJ's 55, the wall of sound
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina dive into another batch of questions from the Open Floor Globe, starting with an incredible "What if?" involving the Houston Rockets and a possible 1984 trade that could have landed Clyde Drexler and Michael Jordan alongside Hakeem Olajuwon. Would that Big 3 have worked? How many titles would Jordan and Olajuwon have won as teammates? From there, Ben and Michael discuss re-watching Jordan's 55-point explosion at Madison Square Garden on its 25th anniversary. How famous would John Starks be in the Twitter and Instagram era? What made Jordan's game-winning play so special? Why did Hubie Brown steal the show? The guys then pivot with questions about NBA crowd environments, and whether the coronavirus might spoil Steve Ballmer's idea of building a "Wall of Sound" in his new arena. At the end, Michael explains his 40" vertical leap and accepts an offer to be a ringer on a Milwaukee beach volleyball team. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 27, 2020 · 1 hr 8 min
Two truths and a lie, media as fans, social distancing stars
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open with a game of "Two Truths and a lie." Did Michael have a 40-inch vertical in high school? Is he really related to Dana Barros? Did Ben once shatter a backboard? Did he watch the 2004 Finals in a disease-fueled state in a foreign country? From there, they take questions from the Open Floor Globe. Should media members act as stand-in fans if NBA games resume in empty arenas? Which NBA stars would rise to the top if the league enacted a six-foot social distancing policy on the court? What advice do the guys have for a recent high school graduate about becoming a sportswriter and picking games to watch on a nightly basis? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 24, 2020 · 1 hr 9 min
Free agency match-making, Saving the NBA awards, White whale games
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open with a summary of the NBA's looming $1 billion hit due to the coronavirus and possible impacts on next year's salary cap. Should the owners and players agree to "smooth" a possible record cap decline? From there, Michael plays matchmaker between 2020 free agents and teams, pairing Fred VanVleet with the Knicks, Montrezl Harrell with the Pistons and Paul Millsap with the Suns. Then, the guys take questions from the Open Floor Globe. How should the NBA save its annual awards show? Were Anfernee Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal underrated as a duo? Which 1980s-era playoff games do Ben and Michael wish they had been alive to see? At the end, they address a distraught high school senior and an emailer who is seeking forgiveness after lying to Open Floor about his love life. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 20, 2020 · 1 hr 4 min
NBA's lost narratives, our favorite seasons, MJ's return
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina cope with the coronavirus crisis by running through some of this season's biggest lost narratives. What's next for the Bucks, Nets and Rockets? How will the suspended schedule impact Giannis Antetokounmpo's "supermax" decision? Would Kevin Durant consider a return to the delayed postseason? Is Daryl Morey off the hook for his Hong Kong tweet? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe about the favorite NBA seasons of their childhoods and their memories of Michael Jordan's return from baseball. They show some love to U.S. health care workers and close by discussing their NBA doppelgangers. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 17, 2020 · 1 hr 4 min
The coronavirus & the NBA schedule, airing old grievances
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina discuss the coronavirus and its ongoing impacts on the NBA schedule. Players have been sent home and the NBA is on hiatus for at least two months. Can a postseason be salvaged? Should a postseason be salvaged? An Open Floor Globe member from Denmark sounds the alarm about what's coming for the USA, while another from France correctly suggests that this crisis is an opportunity in disguise. From there, Ben and Michael circle back to take questions on heated debates from past shows. If LeBron James supposedly isn't as famous as we think, why is he so well-known in an underground gold mine in the Australian outback? Should an Orlando Magic fan seek revenge after his girlfriend cheated on him during the Slam Dunk Contest? Should we add an oddities wing to our plans for making a statue garden at the Hall of Legends? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 12, 2020 · 56 min
NBA suspends season due to coronavirus
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina discuss the NBA's decision to indefinitely suspend the 2019-20 season after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and guard Donovan Mitchell tested positive for the coronavirus. Did the NBA make the right decision and should they have made it earlier? Will we see any more games this season? If not, which playoff storylines will we miss the most? How should fans treat Gobert? What can you and your family do to stay safe? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 10, 2020 · 1 hr 10 min
LeBron's Lakers enjoy a big weekend, Coronavirus gets real
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina look back at LeBron James's big weekend, as the Los Angeles Lakers enjoyed signature victories over the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers. Did LeBron vault into the MVP conversation? Are the Lakers now the title favorites? Will Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury damage his MVP chances, and should it alter Milwaukee's approach to the rest of the season? From there, Ben and Michael discuss the NBA's ongoing response to the Coronavirus, including the anticipated closing of locker rooms to media members. They wrap up the episode by dissecting Kenny Atkinson's departure as Brooklyn Nets coach, running through possible replacement candidates, and announcing that a Zion-themed hymn has become the show's new theme song. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 6, 2020 · 1 hr 2 min
Stephen Curry's next chapter, Does NBA need commentating shake-up?
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina welcome Stephen Curry back to the court with an extended discussion about the Golden State Warriors guard's legacy and next chapter. Will Curry win another title and/or MVP? Where will the Warriors finish in the West standings next year? How much elite basketball does he have left in the tank, and which factors are working for and against him? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. They respond to accusations of LeBron-induced myopia, discuss the state of NBA television commentating in the wake of Daryl Morey's critiques, and weigh a possible Joel Embiid to the Nets trade scenario. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 3, 2020 · 59 min
Giannis vs. Harden escalates, KD considers Tokyo, Peak Westbrook
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open by dissecting the escalating tension between James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Does Harden have a point? Is he guilty of hypocrisy? What constitutes "skill" in basketball? Then, they pivot to a quick discussion about Kevin Durant's possible interest in representing Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. From there, they break down the Rockets' overtime victory over the Celtics. How does Boston build into a title team? What makes Russell Westbrook so dangerous in Houston's new five-out approach? Are the Clippers prepared to spoil the Rockets' rise? Ben and Michael close with follow-up questions about their Hall of Legends and Statue Garden ideas, including snub nominees and a "Statuability" ranking. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Feb 28, 2020 · 1 hr 4 min
LeBron vs. Zion, Giannis vs. 70, Road jersey etiquette
Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open with an extended discussion of LeBron James' first game against Zion Williamson. Was LeBron trying to prove a point? How did Zion hold up? Was there some chilliness to their post-game comments, and is a rivalry budding? From there, Ben and Michael dig deep into Milwaukee's historic season. Will Mike Budenholzer screw this up or does he take unfair criticism? Should the Bucks chase 70 wins? How should they handle Giannis Antetokounmpo's minutes in the playoffs? The episode closes with questions from the Open Floor Globe. Which players need a change of scenery this summer? If Zion got kidnapped, who should the kidnappers call first to ensure the biggest ransom? How did Michael manage to be kind and insightful on a Suns podcast? And, finally, should a Heat fan buy and wear a Sixers jersey when he goes to a game in Philadelphia during a work trip? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Feb 25, 2020 · 1 hr 11 min
MJ honors Kobe, Tatum erupts, Simmons' back woes
On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina offer a line-by-line breakdown of Michael Jordan's incredibly moving tribute for Kobe Bryant. Why did MJ's speech resonate with so many people? Why should it be viewed as the ultimate validation for Kobe's career? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. Should there be a more exclusive "Hall of Legends" that complements the Hall of Fame but only honors players with lasting impacts? If so, who should be in and who should be out? Then, the discussion shifts to the Celtics and Sixers. What does Jayson Tatum's recent hot stretch say about his long-term ceiling? Should Ben Simmons shut it down for the season due to his back problems? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Feb 21, 2020 · 1 hr 7 min
Kyrie Irving's season ends, All-Star Weekend fixes
On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina discuss the fallout surrounding Kyrie Irving's season-ending shoulder surgery. What's next for the Brooklyn Nets? Does the concept of a "Gap year" really exist? Would the Nets undo their 2019 summer if they could? From there, Ben and Michael pivot to suggestions from the Open Floor Globe on how to fix All-Star Weekend. Should the dunk contest add sensors or change its scoring system? Should the Three-Point Contest be turned into a giant game of 21? Should the All-Star Game's Elam ending add protections so that it doesn't finish on a free throw? Finally, they address whether Giannis Antetokounmpo's late-game weaknesses on offense cost Team Giannis the All-Star Game victory. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Feb 17, 2020 · 1 hr
All-Star Weekend winners and losers
On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina convene for a late-night All-Star Weekend recap. Ben and Michael run through the winners and losers of the midseason showcase in Chicago, praising the NBA's new All-Star Game format and the many standouts from Sunday's game (Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Rudy Gobert). They chide Joel Embiid and Kemba Walker for their late-game missteps, before shifting gears to dive deeply into a Slam Dunk Contest breakdown and a pity party for Aaron Gordon. Just how badly did the judges blow it? What's the fix for next year? Then, Ben offers some behind-the-scenes gushing on Zion Williamson and names his Mt. Rushmore of All-Star Weekend figures. Along the way, Ben and Michael discuss the brewing rivalry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden, and praise the All-Star Saturday victories for Bam Adebayo and Buddy Hield. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy