Feat. JB the Ticket - It's the most wonderful time of the year as a basketball fan. When it's Christmas Day and you refuse to leave the living room because the NBA is what's on everyone's mind. Except that's not quite the case this year, is it? It's time we had a conversation. JB the Ticket is back at DHU to speak on the state of NBA fandom, as Hoop defends the modern product. Happy holidays, enjoy the pod!

• Wholesome shoutouts (2:40) precede the inaugural 'Who's Hoopin?' segment, acknowledging those who are getting it done (7:00)
• Opening statements begin for the rebuttal (20:55), an exploration into the modern NBA era and how we got here
• Hoop shares what recent articles he's worked on for NBA.com (41:00) before a discussion on ways to make the modern fan more content

https://www.nba.com/news/grizzlies-getting-it-done-by-committee

https://www.nba.com/news/isaiah-hartenstein-stepping-up-for-thunder

Feat. Shiva Dhiman - Cheers to season 3, the Casual Diehards back to dig into a new season of NBA Basketball. On this episode, Darrell opens up about his new gig writing for NBA.com, before diving into the two conferences roughly 12 games into the new year.

One striking stat sticks out, two teams are on pace for historic seasons, three big injuries loom large and Jokić could be on his way to a 4th MVP. Enjoy the pod!

• (11:30) after a healthy round of shoutouts, Hoop details how writing for NBA.com came about, before highlighting the startling conference disparity (17:00)
• Shiv makes the case for Boston sweeping award season (28:00)
• Why it's still Nuggets vs. Everybody in the west (34:50)
• Are the Warriors legit? / What trades could be in store this year (51:40)
• (1:00:00) Hoop breaks down his fantasy dogs this year, as the quest for a repeat is well underway.

Cleveland Cavaliers article: https://www.nba.com/news/cavaliers-chasing-franchise-history-with-hot-start

Feat. Shiva Dhiman - The Casual Diehards are back, however not until Darrell calls an iso to get off his hot take prediction for this year's WNBA Season. Spoiler alert, could the Indiana Fever make the WNBA Finals??? Stranger things have happened. Then, Hoop and Shiv complete a fantasy football mock draft to help prepare for the upcoming season. Enjoy the pod!

(2:55) Why the Indiana Fever, led by Caitlin Clark, could legitimately be a WNBA Finals contender this year.

(19:45) A'ja Wilson. That's the tweet.

(27:35) Shiv joins the pod and the guys run through a full fantasy football mock draft, discussing the difficult decisions fantasy managers will face this season.

Feat. Rocket Henderson - Another first-timer checks in at D Hoop University. He's one of Hoop's oldest friends. Rocket uses his experience with the game of basketball to juxtapose the American style with what's happening Internationally, as Team USA inches closer to Olympic gold.

• (3:45) Thoughts on Team USA as they take 0n Brazil in the quarterfinals, along with insight from Rocket on the international basketball scene.
• (12:15) Controversial opinions on the Team USA rotation, and a breakdown of the coaching in an era without Coach K (22:30).
• (33:10) Additional Olympic storylines followed by the introduction of "Anti-Water" (38:50), a new sports hydration brand.

https://www.instagram.com/antiwaterco/

Summer check-ins continue, this time spotlighting one of the most talented artists in LA. Big Jayce makes his DHU debut to unpack his new album Big Jayce World. He's a man of many names, but not so many words... until now. Later on the guys discuss Olympic hoops, following Team USA's win over South Sudan. Enjoy the pod!

• (8:30) Following some shoutouts and laughs about the good 'ol days, we get into what Big Jayce World is really about.. before digging into Jaylen's evolution as a musician (22:20) and creative direction for the project.
• (36:40) Hoop shares his favorite song from the album **link below** before the guys transition to a retrospect on the Drake & Kendrick Lamar beef (40:00).
• (55:10) The guys touch on Team USA after giving major props to South Sudan, before finally looking ahead to next season (108:15)

ALBUM: https://music.apple.com/us/album/big-jayce-world/1757419016

IG: @bigjayceworld @thankyoubigjayce

Feat. Kendall Gilliam - On the heels of the NBA Draft, Hoop is joined by his good brother to discuss all things Lakers. What does the addition of Dalton Knecht & Bronny James mean? Who should the Lakers front office be targeting going into free agency? This is followed by thoughts about Team USA and a casual conversation about the Presidential debate. Enjoy the pod!

• (5:35) Thoughts on the JJ Redick head coaching hire, and NBA Draft results
• (44:25) Who could/should the Lakers target in free agency? Rumors galore with names including James Harden, Chris Paul, Lonzo Ball & more...
• (1:09:50) A Team USA Olympic back and forth followed by our debate kicker.

Feat. Shiva Dhiman - Just when you realized you missed us, the Casual Diehards are back with instant reactions to the New York Knicks / Brooklyn Nets trade. Prior to that, Shiv and Darrell give Boston their flowers properly, and later on Hoop drops bombs about Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese & Bronny James. Oh, and the draft is in less than 24 hours. Enjoy the pod!

• Feel good moment for the boys in Beantown (3:25) what does this mean for the rest of the league ? (11:15)
• Jayson Tatum vs. Kevin Durant career comparison (20:00)
• New York Knicks trade for Mikal Bridges, how do we feel ? (37:50)
• Does the WNBA have their version of Larry vs. Magic in Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese? (46:45)
• NBA Draft kicker & Bronny James hypothetical (59:15)

Feat. Terrel Emerson - There's no better person to kick the W off with than the man in the building for Ring Night himself. Hoop and Chatterbox get right into the league's opening night, with thoughts on Caitlin Clark, a fantasy draft recap & discussion on title contenders. We close with a condensed NBA playoff check-in as the Semifinals approach win or go home status. Enjoy the pod!

• (7:00) Reactions to opening Caitlin Clark's debut, predictions for her rookie year
• (15:15) Meet the Lady Hoopsters, Darrell's 1st WNBA fantasy team; in-depth draft recap
• (38:45) Who are the title contenders this year? Aces 3-peat? Liberty revenge year? Seattle Storm-ing back to the top? Wildcards??
• (45:00) NBA Playoff check-in ... Boston advances. Will any other stars create a game 7 moment? Finals prediction (56:50)
• (1:02:40) NBA Rumor mill - Where should PG/Harden sign this offseason? What should the Lakers' strategy be? Bronny James draft status (1:09:35)