The Hoop Genius Podcast

Hoop Genius

NBA TV analyst Mo Mooncey & 2x NBA champion Coach Brendan Suhr bring you basketball analysis, debates and more; as well as an exclusive list of VIP guests who take you behind the scenes into the world of the NBA.

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20 episodes
Updated July 2

Episodes20

Newest first

July 2 · 24 min
S6 Ep70: Jaylen Brown got traded, and it's worse than you can image.
pain. 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
June 30 · 35 min
S6 Ep69: INSTANT reaction to Kawhi returning to Toronto, LeBron leaving the Lakers, Duren to the Kings?!
Free agency hadn't even opened yet, and the NBA was already on fire. Mo Mooncey and Coach Brendan Suhr sit down two hours before the market opens, and by the time they're done recording, a Kawhi Leonard trade breaks live on the show. Mo and Coach open with LeBron James informing the Lakers he won't be back, and make the case for why Golden State, not Cleveland, makes the most sense for his next move. From there it's straight into the Lakers' brutal center market, a tense staring contest between the Pistons and Jalen Duren, and then, mid-conversation, news breaks that Kawhi Leonard is heading back to Toronto. Mo and Coach react live and immediately start building out what the new-look Raptors could look like. The back half covers the Ja Morant trade to Portland and whether Damian Lillard can be the veteran voice Morant needs, plus a full breakdown of where every team in the Eastern and Western Conference stands heading into free agency. Topics covered in this episode: LeBron James leaving the Lakers and the case for Golden State The Lakers' search for a starting center around Luka Doncic The Jalen Duren sign-and-trade standoff between Detroit, Sacramento and the Lakers Kawhi Leonard traded back to the Toronto Raptors, live reaction Building the new Raptors roster around Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard Ja Morant traded to the Portland Trail Blazers Precious Achiuwa re-signs with the Sacramento Kings Eastern Conference power rankings heading into free agency Western Conference predictions, including a breakout call for the Utah Jazz 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
June 29 · 1 hr 1 min
S6 Ep68: Giannis to Miami, LaMelo to Minnesota, and why Jalen Brown deserves better
The NBA offseason has been chaos from the jump and Mo and Coach Brendan Suhr are breaking down every major move: the full NBA draft, the Giannis trade to Miami, LaMelo Ball heading to Minnesota, the Jalen Brown media circus, and every other trade and free agency story worth your time. Listen or watch as two of the most credible voices in the game cut through the noise on a packed offseason. Who got robbed in the Giannis trade? Can Miami actually score enough to compete? Is the Celtics analytics department trying to run Jalen Brown out of Boston? And what does the LaMelo move mean for Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves' title hopes? Topics covered: Full 2025 NBA Draft breakdown Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the Miami Heat: what Milwaukee got, and whether it was ever going to be enough Miami Heat offseason outlook: Bam and Giannis on the same front line Jalen Brown trade rumors, the analytics debate, and the media coverage driving Mo to the edge LaMelo Ball traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves: what it means for the Wolves and for Charlotte OKC salary dumps: Isaiah Joe to Detroit, Aaron Wiggins to Atlanta Miles Bridges to Charlotte Hornets Jalen Duren contract standoff in Detroit NBA Summer League schedule preview FIFA World Cup chat 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
June 14 · 35 min
S6 Ep67: The Knicks were never supposed to win. They did it anyway.
For the first time since 1973 the New York Knicks are NBA champions, and they did it the hard way: down double digits in every single game and still standing alone on the mountain. Mo and two-time NBA championship coach Brendan Suhr break down a Finals that says something bigger about how you actually win in this league. Listen or watch as they make the case that the Knicks just buried the "you need a top-five superstar" myth, with Jalen Brunson's monster closeout, Karl-Anthony Towns answering every soft label, OG Anunoby and a bench that refused to break. Then the other side of it: a young Spurs team that overachieved to even get here and then lost the same way every night. Brendan goes inside why "five out" basketball stops working in June, why it was never an analytics game, and what San Antonio has to fix this summer around Wembanyama, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. Mo makes his case on the De'Aaron Fox contract and who should really be running point in San Antonio (Brendan does not fully agree). Plus the offseason is already here: the hosts split on where Giannis lands, the Jaylen Brown and Trey Murphy dominoes, and how the East stacks up for next season. New episodes drop twice a week. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and Apple, and leave a five-star review. Topics covered: Knicks win the title for the first time since 1973 Why this team killed the "need a superstar" narrative Brunson's closeout and Finals MVP case Karl-Anthony Towns shaking the "soft" label The Spurs' offense problem and the limits of five out The De'Aaron Fox contract debate (Mo vs Brendan) Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle and the Spurs' young core What San Antonio needs this offseason Giannis predictions: Miami vs Boston Jaylen Brown, Trey Murphy and the East next season 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
June 11 · 36 min
S6 Ep66: The WORST collapse in NBA Finals history
The Spurs were up 29 in an NBA Finals game and lost. We are still not sure we believe it. Mo Mooncey and 2x NBA champion coach Brendan Suhr break down the night the San Antonio Spurs handed the New York Knicks a 3-1 series lead, with OG Anunoby tipping in the winner and De'Aaron Fox unravelling down the stretch. This one is all about the collapse. We go possession by possession through the final two minutes: the turnovers, the contested layup OG turned away, the inbounds defense that left the game-winner wide open, and the missed free throws. Brendan explains why "time and score" is the lesson the Spurs never learned, why Mike Brown out-coached Mitch Johnson for a fourth straight game, and why those lobs to Victor Wembanyama are doing him no favours. We also make the case for OG Anunoby as Finals MVP, dig into the flagrant foul rule that could cost Wembanyama a game, and ask whether the public is about to turn Wemby into a villain the way it once did with LeBron. Plus a few stories that have nothing to do with basketball and everything to do with why you keep coming back. Game 5 is Saturday, with Mo on the call for Amazon Prime. Subscribe so you do not miss the reaction. In this episode: The 29-point collapse and how it actually happened De'Aaron Fox, "time and score," and the clutch reputation OG Anunoby's Finals MVP case Why Mike Brown has out-coached Mitch Johnson all series The danger in Wembanyama's lob diet The flagrant foul rule that needs to change The Wembanyama villain narrative Series outlook heading into Game 5 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
June 9 · 33 min
S6 Ep65: Wembanyama just SAVED the Spurs' season
The Spurs stole one back in New York and we have a real NBA Finals on our hands. Victor Wembanyama came out of the tunnel like he remembered he was seven foot five, attacked the rim from the opening tip, and dragged San Antonio to a 115-111 road win to cut the series to 2-1. Mo and two-time NBA champion coach Brendan Suhr break down the game that flipped the temperature of this series. They get into why Wembanyama's aggression changed everything, the Knicks' absurd 42-point second quarter, and the Keldon Johnson play that nearly cost San Antonio the night. Then comes the debate of the episode: is De'Aaron Fox doing enough for a max-money guard in the biggest series of his life? Mo is done waiting. Brendan is not so sure. They also dig into San Antonio's elite defense against New York's five-out offense, the loudest arena Brendan has heard since the old Chicago Stadium, and why this is shaping up to be the most-watched Finals in years. Are the Spurs about to make this a series, or do the Knicks close it out at home? Topics covered: Why Wembanyama's Game 3 changed the series The Knicks' historic second quarter The Keldon Johnson swing play that almost decided it The De'Aaron Fox max-contract debate What happened to KAT in Game 3 Spurs defense vs the Knicks five-out offense Three straight road wins and what it means for Game 4 Why this Finals is pulling in the whole world 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
June 6 · 38 min
S6 Ep64: Wembanyama is getting EXPOSED in the NBA Finals
The Knicks went to San Antonio and didn't steal one, they stole both. New York is up 2-0 in the NBA Finals and Mo is calling the series over. Coach Brendan Suhr isn't ready to go that far. Listen or watch as a two-time NBA champion coach breaks down why he thinks the Spurs handed this game away in the final 40 seconds, why Wembanyama looked rattled for the first time all postseason, and how Karl-Anthony Towns turned himself into the best player on the floor through two games. We get into the Spurs' five-out offence and why Brendan doesn't believe you can win a championship playing it, the late-game possession that decided the night, the butterfly effect that put Landry Shamet in the Finals, and the front-office work that quietly built this Knicks roster. Plus an OG Anunoby story from the UK that says everything about how this country treats its NBA stars. Two more wins and New York lifts the trophy. Can the Spurs steal one back at home, or is this already done? In this episode: Knicks take a 2-0 Finals lead in San Antonio Why Wembanyama looked shook in his first two Finals games Karl-Anthony Towns as the early Finals MVP The case against the Spurs' five-out, no-set-plays offence Brendan's breakdown of the final possession and what he would have run The Malcolm Brogdon retirement that changed the Knicks' season Scott Perry's fingerprints all over this New York roster OG Anunoby, KAT's defensive turnaround, and the Game 3 prediction 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
June 4 · 32 min
S6 Ep63: The Spurs were winning Game 1.. then De'Aaron Fox happened..
The New York Knicks stole Game 1 of the NBA Finals on the road, 105-95, coming back from 14 points down in the second half to beat the San Antonio Spurs. Mo called the game live on Prime Video and jumped straight on the podcast with Coach Brendan Suhr to break it all down. They get into the De'Aaron Fox crunch-time disaster, why Dylan Harper should have been on the floor instead, how the Knicks are now in historically elite company on both ends of the floor, and what adjustments the Spurs have to make before Game 2. Plus: Steph Curry just signed with Li-Ning for a reported $400M. Mo and Coach Brendan Suhr break down what it means for the sneaker industry, why it is a smarter move than people are giving him credit for, and why Steph might be building the next Jordan Brand. Topics covered: Knicks vs Spurs Game 1 full breakdown De'Aaron Fox crunch-time performance Dylan Harper breakout game as a rookie Victor Wembanyama game analysis KAT vs Wemby matchup adjustments OG Anunoby's fourth quarter takeover Knicks' historic offensive and defensive rating Steph Curry / Li-Ning deal analysis Li-Ning brand history and global reach Curry brand IP and the Jordan Brand comparison Trump at Game 3 of the NBA Finals 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
May 31 · 29 min
S6 Ep62: Breaking down the NBA Finals nobody saw coming: Knicks vs. Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are Western Conference champions. Wimby's going to the Finals. OKC - despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropping 35 points - are heading home. We break down the game seven aftermath, why Chet Holmgren went missing with $240M coming his way, and what Dylan Harper's poise as a rookie tells you about where this Spurs team is headed. Then we get into the matchup breakdown for the NBA Finals: New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs - a rematch of 1999. Eight days rest for the Knicks against an emotionally drained Spurs squad. OG Anunoby as Wemby's statistically best defender. Jose Alvarado's potential psychological impact. Both Mo and Brendan land on the same Finals prediction: Knicks in six. Coach Brendan Suhr, who was at the 1999 Finals with Isaiah Thomas, shares what this matchup means - and why closing out a Finals series is the hardest thing to do in basketball. Listen or watch and let us know your predictions in the Discord. Topics covered: PSG winning back-to-back Champions League titles and the NBA parallel San Antonio Spurs win Game 7, 111-103 over OKC Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 35-point performance and why he was completely gassed Chet Holmgren: 1/2 from the field, 4 rebounds, benched at the end of a Game 7 JDub and Ajay Mitchell injuries and their impact on OKC's offense Dylan Harper's clutch three as a rookie off the bench Knicks vs Spurs NBA Finals preview: matchup breakdown Becky Hammon's Jalen Brunson comments and why Mo and Brendan both see her point KAT stretching the floor, Wemby's positioning issues, OG as Wemby's best defender Jose Alvarado's psychological value for the Knicks De'Aaron Fox's contract vs playoff performance Knicks' eight days rest advantage going into the Finals Mike Brown being the sixth choice for the Knicks job Both hosts predict: Knicks in six 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
May 29 · 36 min
S6 Ep61: Wemby's Spurs: The Last Dynasty
The OKC Thunder just got pushed to a game seven by a San Antonio Spurs team built on three top-five picks. The NBA just voted 29-1 to make sure that never happens again. Mo and Coach Brendan Suhr break it all down and ask whether the new draft lottery rules actually fix anything, or whether they just punish teams that aren't tanking at all. Plus: is Wemby quietly doing something we've never seen before in NBA history? Mo makes the case and Brendan starts to agree by the end. Listen or watch for the full breakdown, including Mo's pitch for why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should go to Rucker Park this summer, the game seven preview, the Mitchell Robinson injury update, and what a two-time champion coach really thinks about flopping. Topics covered: Spurs beat OKC Game 6, 118-91: key performances and free throw breakdown Game Seven preview: who wins and why Flopping debate: do coaches teach it? The NBA's new 3-2-1 draft lottery rule change explained Why the new system punishes struggling teams, not just tankers The Wemby-in-history argument: Magic, Bird, Jordan comparisons NBA ratings through the roof with New York in the finals Mo's Rucker Park idea for Shai 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
May 26 · 38 min
S6 Ep60: The Knicks are the best team in basketball. Now what?
The New York Knicks have swept the Cleveland Cavaliers and are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Mo and Coach Brendan Suhr are not holding back. Is this Knicks team actually capable of winning a championship? Is Kenny Atkinson finished in Cleveland? Plus, the OKC Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are locked in a brutal conference finals series tied at 2-2, Greg Popovich made a rare locker room appearance, and the All-NBA teams are out. Coach Brendan has problems with the selections. Mo has one: how is Chet Holmgren on an All-NBA team and OKC can't figure out where to find offense? Topics covered: Knicks sweep Cavaliers, advance to NBA Finals: analysis and reaction Kenny Atkinson and the future of the Cleveland Cavaliers What makes the 2025 Knicks genuinely different from any team in recent playoff history Jalen Brunson's $113M pay cut gamble and what it says about his character Karl-Anthony Towns as a playmaking hub: the adjustment that changed everything OKC vs San Antonio: series tied 2-2, game five breakdown Gregg Popovich's locker room speech and the culture of the Spurs organization All-NBA teams revealed: Coach Brendan's issues and Mo's Chet Holmgren rant Which opponent the Knicks would prefer in the NBA Finals 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
May 22 · 30 min
S6 Ep59: The Knicks are taking over and the West is just getting started
The best game of the conference finals, the worst collapse in recent playoff memory, and a Dallas franchise blowing the whole thing up. Mo and Brendan break down everything. Wembanyama put up 41 points and 24 rebounds in a double-overtime road classic to open the West Conference Finals. OKC levelled it in Game 2, but now San Antonio is down two key guards and Brendan has serious concerns about what happens from here. In the East, Cleveland had a 22-point lead with seven minutes left in Game 1 and somehow went to overtime. Mo was on the Prime Video call and he still can't explain it. They get into the James Harden debate, Kenny Atkinson's timeout decisions, why the Knicks look like the most complete team remaining, and the coaching philosophy behind riding your star when everything's going wrong. Plus: Jason Kidd out in Dallas, Masai Ujiri in full control and Brendan predicts a dramatic coaching hire. Jamahl Mosley lands in New Orleans. Jeff Van Gundy's comeback edges closer. Plus: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins MVP, but both hosts agree: Wemby's era has already started. Listen or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Topics covered: OKC vs San Antonio Game 1: Wemby's 41/24/3 double-OT masterclass OKC vs San Antonio Game 2: Hartenstein's defense, series injuries, predictions De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Jalen Williams injury updates Cavs vs Knicks Game 1: The 22-point collapse explained James Harden's defense and the coaching case for riding your star Cavs vs Knicks Game 2: Josh Hart takes over, Knicks in control Jason Kidd fired: Masai Ujiri's full Dallas rebuild begins Jamahl Mosley hired as New Orleans head coach Jeff Van Gundy and the Portland vacancy Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins MVP: how long does he hold it? 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
May 18 · 31 min
S6 Ep58: Conference Finals Preview + Trades for the Bucks, Wolves & More
Conference Finals are set, and we have takes. On tonight's show: Anthony Edwards congratulated the Spurs with eight minutes still on the clock, and Brendan Suhr - 47 years in the NBA - says he's never seen anything like it. We get into what that actually says about Minnesota. Brendan also went on record with a guarantee: Giannis will not be a Milwaukee Buck next season, but when you look around the league, there is almost no team with a real trade package for him. We break down who could actually make a move. In the West, both of the guys think the Spurs might be more dangerous than their seeding suggests, Brendan goes as far as saying OKC has to win every single home game just to stay alive. We pick both Conference Finals series, break down the Thunder-Spurs tactical battle, and discuss what the Knicks need to do to get to the Finals. Plus: Brendan was at the NBA Draft Combine this week and saw a player from Baylor do something so impressive he didn't even come back the next day. We get into the top prospects, who helped themselves, who's going back to school, and what Brendan would do with the number one pick. Topics covered: Cavs beat Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 - what went wrong for Detroit Knicks vs Cavs Eastern Conference Finals preview and prediction Anthony Edwards handshake moment and the Timberwolves leadership question Thunder vs Spurs Western Conference Finals breakdown Brendan's bold take: Spurs are the more dangerous team Shams leaking the SGA MVP award and why draft pick spoilers need to stop Brendan guarantees Giannis leaves Milwaukee - but who can afford him? NBA Draft Combine: Brendan's first-hand scouting report Cam Carr,AJ Dybantsa, Caleb Wilson and who helped themselves most Florida's decision to bring everyone back 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
May 11 · 39 min
S6 Ep57: This Draft Lottery changed the NBA. Here's how each team has to respond.
The NBA Draft Lottery just reshuffled the league. Washington wins the number one pick, the Pacers watch their selection land at five and walk away with nothing, and there is a legitimate argument that Indiana still got the better end of the Zubac trade. Mo and Coach Brendan Suhr go pick by pick from 1 through 14 and break down what it means for every franchise heading into the summer. Plus: the Giannis trade situation is coming to a head before the draft, the Knicks are playing the best basketball in the East right now, James Harden saved the Cavaliers in game three without once checking his phone, and Wembanyama gets himself ejected at the worst possible moment in a tied series. Listen or watch and let us know what you think. Topics covered: NBA Draft Lottery results: every pick from one through 14 broken down Why the Pacers may have lost their pick but didn't lose the Zubac trade Washington Wizards win the number one pick: how good can they realistically be? Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Chicago Bulls all in position to add a star Giannis trade speculation: Brendan thinks it gets done before the draft Sam Presti sitting on picks and why he might make a dramatic move this summer Steve Kerr turns down ESPN to return to Golden State Mo calls out a reporter for irresponsible reporting on the top draft prospect New York Knicks: Brendan Suhr says they are one of the two best teams in the league James Harden saves the Cavs in game three, and why he gets too much criticism OKC up 3-0 on the Lakers: the JJ Redick scheme debate Wembanyama's ejection and the Jordan Rules comparison Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle impressing without Wemby Brendan heading to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago next week 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
May 5 · 47 min
S6 Ep56: Celtics collapse, Wemby's playoff test just got real, Cade's heroics & more
The Celtics blew a 3-1 lead at home and nobody can explain the game seven starting line-up. The Sixers got blown out by the Knicks in game one. Wemby went 0-8 from three. De'Aaron Fox put up 10 points and six turnovers; and Coach Brendan Suhr dropped a medical opinion that will have doctors arguing for weeks: calf strains don't exist. Mo and Coach break down every first-round result, go series by series on the second round matchups, and pick their predictions for who goes deep. From Cade Cunningham playing through a punctured lung to Julius Randle as the secret X factor against the Spurs - nothing is off limits. Listen or watch for the full breakdown. Topics covered: Are calf strains real? Brendan goes on record Franz Wagner, the Magic's season, and why Jamal Mosley got fired Cade Cunningham on a punctured lung - the numbers are absurd Cavs in seven: why taking seven games to beat Toronto is a problem Celtics game seven: the lineup, the logic, and the collapse Joel Embiid, Paul George, and why Philly deserved to win Knicks 137-98: the Sixers never had a chance in game one OG Anunoby is playing at an elite level Wemby goes 0-8 from three as the Wolves steal game one De'Aaron Fox: 10 points and six turnovers on his super max Julius Randle as the X factor the Spurs can't answer OKC vs Lakers preview and predictions How many subscriptions does it take to watch the NBA in America? 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
May 2 · 42 min
S6 Ep55: THREE Game 7s, a 24-Point Collapse, and Denver's Nightmare..
The NBA playoffs have gone completely off the rails. Three teams down 3-1 have forced game sevens. A 24-point halftime lead disappeared inside 24 minutes. The Nuggets got bounced without Anthony Edwards, DiVincenzo, or Ayo Dosunmu even on the floor. And Cade Cunningham looked like the best player on any court in the fourth quarter when it mattered most. Mo Mooncey and coach Brendan Suhr break down the most chaotic 48 hours of playoff basketball in years. From Karl-Anthony Towns emerging as a point center to Jaden McDaniels calling out Jokic and Murray by name before delivering a 30-piece, to Denver staring down a cap situation with no obvious way out - this episode covers everything you need to know heading into three massive game sevens. Listen or watch as they go deep on why Denver is in trouble long after this series ends, where Paolo Banchero's 4-of-20 night leaves the Magic, and whether the Celtics can actually trust themselves in a home game seven. Topics covered: Knicks advance: How they flipped the series on the Hawks Karl-Anthony Towns as a point center and OG Anunoby's defense Jalen Johnson's disappointing series and the Hawks' uncertain future Celtics vs Sixers Game 7: drop coverage problems, Embiid dominance, and the Al Horford absence Paolo Banchero 4/20 vs Cade Cunningham's 19-point fourth quarter Paulo's post-game interview: accountability and what was really said Cavaliers vs Raptors Game 7: RJ Barrett's game winner and Donovan Mitchell's playoff problem Timberwolves beat the Nuggets without three key players - Jaden McDaniels' revenge arc Rudy Gobert's passing revelation and why both coaches owe him an apology Denver's cap situation: Jamal Murray at max money, Christian Braun's contract, Payton Watson as a flight risk Thunder sweep the Suns Lakers advance, JJ Redick and Marcus Smart San Antonio Spurs advance, Wemby's back The tanking proposal - one verdict 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
April 27 · 44 min
S6 Ep54: Upsets, comebacks and contract nightmares: Round One unpacked
The first round of the NBA playoffs is delivering chaos across the board, and Mo and Brendan Suhr are breaking down every series . Jalen Duren is being outplayed by the fifth option on the Orlando Magic while his max contract talks stall. The Toronto Raptors shot 4-30 from three and won a playoff game. Jaden McDaniels talked his way into a feud with the entire Nuggets roster and then dunked on Nikola Jokic to back it up. Mo and Brendan cover all eight first-round matchups in full, including the Spurs' historic second-half comeback from 17 down against Portland, Payton Pritchard's 32-point masterclass for Boston, and a big debate on whether the Houston Rockets front office set Ime Udoka up to fail. Plus, Brendan drops some genuine insider knowledge on concussion science that most coaches and fans don't know. Also in this episode: Rudy Gobert gets his flowers after years of being the punchline in every Jokic highlight reel, the Pelicans coaching search throws up an eyebrow-raising name, and Mo and Brendan debate the NBA's so-called unwritten rules. Listen or watch and catch up on everything happening in Round 1. Topics covered: Pistons vs Magic: Jalen Duren's playoff disaster and what it means for his contract Cavs vs Raptors: How Toronto won shooting 4-30 from three Knicks vs Hawks: Series reset after Atlanta missed their chance to go up 3-1 Celtics vs Sixers: Payton Pritchard's 32 points and Boston's player development pipeline OKC vs Suns: The officiating debate and why it misses the point Lakers vs Rockets: Marcus Smart's game-changing steal and the front office failures Wolves vs Nuggets: Rudy Gobert's redemption, Jaden McDaniels, and the unwritten rules debate Spurs vs Blazers: Wemby, De'Aaron Fox, and one of the great second-half runs in recent memory Pelicans coaching search: Sean Sweeney vs Rajon Rondo Post-concussion science: What the research says about lower extremity injury risk 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
April 22 · 37 min
S6 Ep53: Wemby's injury just exposed the most expensive mistake the Spurs ever made
LeBron James is 41 years old and dropping playoff performances that are making the entire league uncomfortable. Without Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves, the Lakers have gone up 2-0 on the Rockets - and it's not even been close. Mo and Coach Brendan Suhr break down what JJ Redick has built and why Houston's identity has completely fallen apart. Plus: Victor Wembanyama is out with a concussion and De'Aaron Fox is now under the microscope without his superstar to hide behind. The Timberwolves came back from 19 down to beat the Nuggets in a playoff war. Jaden McDaniels called out every single Nugget by name. Billy Donovan has resigned from the Bulls. And the Portland Trail Blazers owner is rapidly becoming the most embarrassing figure in the league. It's round one, it's already wild, and Mo and Brendan are not holding back. Topics covered: Jaylen Brown gets a technical foul for dunking too hard Magic vs Pistons: Orlando's size advantage and Jamal Mosley's brilliant preparation tactic Cavs are demolishing the Raptors and Donovan Mitchell's second-round curse looms Knicks vs Hawks tied 1-1: Nickeil Alexander-Walker's defense on Brunson, CJ McCollum cooking Celtics vs Sixers tied 1-1: shooting collapse, Derrick White's role, pick-and-roll coverage problems OKC Thunder on a purpose-driven assignment: they are not messing around Lakers up 2-0 on the Rockets: LeBron at 41, Rob Pelinka's roster decisions vindicated Kevin Durant isolation problem and Houston's missing point guard Timberwolves vs Nuggets tied 1-1: Rudy Gobert's clutch defense and Jaden McDaniels' iconic post-game Wembanyama concussion: what now for the Spurs, and what does it mean for De'Aaron Fox? Portland Blazers owner controversy: no t-shirts for fans, cutting costs in the playoffs Billy Donovan resigns from Chicago Bulls 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
April 18 · 33 min
S6 Ep52: Every 2026 NBA Playoff Series Predicted: Our Full Bracket Picks
The play-in is done, the bracket is set, and Mo and Coach Brendan Suhr are going through every single first-round series live, just minutes after the Warriors went down to the Phoenix Suns. Eight series. Eight predictions. Game counts and X-factors for all of them. They also get into whether Steve Kerr's farewell embrace in the closing minutes was a goodbye, what Victor Wembanyama's first playoffs could look like, and Doc Rivers' reported retirement - including the personal story of how Brendan convinced him to get into coaching decades ago. Plus: Cade Cunningham and Luka Doncic eligible for NBA awards despite the rule, Brendan's frustration with Rookie of the Year media predictions, and the fact that this podcast reported Luka's potential early return before anyone else. Topics covered: Play-in recap: Magic over Hornets (East), Suns over Warriors (West) Steve Kerr: reading the goodbye in real time Pistons vs Magic: full series prediction and X factor Cavaliers vs Raptors: full series prediction and X factor Knicks vs Hawks: full series prediction and X factor Celtics vs 76ers: full series prediction and Jaylen Brown's injury status OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns: Mo goes sweep, Brendan says five Lakers vs Rockets: both pick Houston, KD injury clouds things Nuggets vs Timberwolves: the hardest series to call in the first round Spurs vs Trail Blazers: Wembanyama's moment to announce himself Doc Rivers retirement: career retrospective and Brendan's personal story Cade Cunningham and Luka Doncic NBA awards eligibility Cooper Flagg and the Rookie of the Year debate 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/
April 16 · 39 min
S6 Ep51: Play-In CHAOS + Full NBA Award Ballot
The NBA play-in tournament is deliveringeverything you could ask for. The Golden State Warriors came back from double digits down in the fourth quarter to eliminate the Clippers, Al Horford hit three straight threes, and Draymond Green locked Kawhi Leonard out of the game. Portland upset Phoenix. The Sixers handled Orlando, and Charlotte ended Miami's season in overtime with a LaMelo Ball controversy hanging over the whole thing. Mo and Coach Brendan Suhr break down every play-in result before turning to the end of season awards. Who gets MVP? Who wins Coach of the Year? Why is the Most Improved Award being given to the wrong players? And is Cooper Flagg already good enough to have been on the US Olympic team? Both hosts submit their full award ballot and make the case for some picks you won't hear anywhere else, including a Most Improved Player who hasn't been mentioned in any of these conversations. Listen or watch on your favourite platform and catch up before the playoffs begin. Topics covered: Warriors comeback win over the Clippers, play-in recap Portland Trail Blazers eliminating the Phoenix Suns Philadelphia 76ers defeating the Orlando Magic Charlotte Hornets beating the Miami Heat in overtime LaMelo Ball's flagrant 2 foul on Bam Adebayo and the referee failure A'ja Wilson's $1.4M per year contract vs NBA rookie salaries Golden State vs Phoenix play-in preview 2026 NBA MVP debate: SGA vs Wembanyama vs Jokic Victor Wembanyama Defensive Player of the Year Joe Mazzulla as Coach of the Year and the best coach in the NBA right now Brad Stevens Executive of the Year Sixth Man of the Year: Mo's pick vs Brendan's pick Most Improved Player: why lottery picks shouldn't qualify Cooper Flagg Rookie of the Year Clutch Player of the Year debate 🎧 Listen to the full Hoop Genius Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes 2x a week. This podcast is brought to you by NBA2K26: https://nba.2k.com/2k26/buy/