Hey friends! It’s your pal Jo Stroman, here, with another episode of the Hoop Ball Heat Podcast! The season ended in a 4-2 loss in the Finals, but the Heat have a bright future. Jo gives a look at what happened against the juggernaut Lakers and how the Heat can plug some holes in the offseason!
The one and only Jo Stroman has your Heat preview for game 5… but is there a reason? LeBron is likely ready to cement himself, and the Heat already did more than anyone could have dreamed.
Former Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry has joined Luke Walton’s coaching staff in Sacramento. How did this relationship come to be? How it can help the Kings? Jason Jones reported Buddy Hield isn’t returning Luke Walton’s calls. Are you tired of Buddy’s antics? Do you think he’s on the team next season? Damien Barling and Jill Adge have the latest for the always-interesting Kings!
A 102-96 Game 4 NBA Finals Win has the Lakers just one more win from securing the crown. After an ugly start that saw LeBron out of sync, the Lakers were able to play their brand of bully ball against a Heat team that tried to push them around all night. Ethan & JC break down the Lakers win & look ahead toward Game 5, examine a potential Dwight for Markieff switch, stress the importance of the #CaruShow, and how LeBron might have just locked up Finals MVP. Oh, and Ethan goes on an epic Lakers rant that you really can’t miss.
Host Brad Hardin talks about the Hawks unveiling the FIRE Nike City Edition Jersey commemorating the late great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and talks about how possible is it for the Hawks to make the playoffs next season!
One team wanted it more, and that team was unfortunately not The Los Angeles Lakers. Jimmy Butler played a game for the ages, and the tenacious Miami Heat are starting to prove to be a much tougher out than previously thought. JC has your thoughts on the box score and what to look for in game 4.
Jo Stroman is here, Heat fans! Your illustrious host has a breakdown on how this series turned, some key elements not often discussed in the bubble, and Kyrie Irving is making news again.
Game 2 is in the books, and the Lakers are just TWO. GAMES. AWAY. from reclaiming the NBA Finals throne! Anthony Davis continues to dominate, LeBron James remains unstoppable, and despite an offensive performance that Jimmy Butler and Co. should be proud of, this Lakers team just looks like it’s simply too much Heat for Miami to handle. Rajon “Vintage Playoff Bubble Man” Rondo stepped up in a major way with a double-double off the bench, the Lakers cleaned the offensive glass like they’re sponsored by Windex, and Frank Vogel has this group locked in as they look to take a make-or-break Game 3 that will all but deliver them the trophy. Join Ethan for a solo ride of the Hoop Ball Lakers podcast before Game 3’s tip!
Host Brad Hardin brings us a double feature this week as the Hawks end their Bubble Mini Camp and gives his takeaways. He also talks the Hawks officially announcing Assistant GM Landry Fields to the front office and his potential impact and the Hawks’ interest in Nuggets Forward Jerami Grant.
The Lakers showed up six minutes late, but their arrival was emphatic and the Game 1 win vs. Miami very much looked like a statement 1-5 Finals matchup. The Heat do not have an answer for LeBron or Anthony Davis—frankly, nobody does—and with injuries quickly mounting to Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo, and Jimmy Butler, the Heat are going to be left searching for answers entering Game 2. Ethan and JC break down what went right for the Lakers and how the purple and gold can keep the gas flowing in their quest for the NBA’s greatest honor.
A lot of talented people were let go from the Sacramento Kings organization including Stockton GM Anthony McClish. Why did this happen? McClish is a very well respected, young front office executive. Plus, Jill gives us some names to watch as additions to McNair’s front office.
Victor Oladipo has made it known he wants out of Indy. We know the perfect landing spot for him. David and Sam talk about possible Dipo trades and breakdown three new draft prospects.