Episode 137 at KINGS was unforgettable—where elite freestyle talent met the heart of North Carolina sports and community!

🎤 Special Guest: Ray Wimley
Nationally recognized freestyle artist Ray Wimley turned the studio into a lyrical playground, sharing his creative process and delivering an incredible live freestyle packed with audience-suggested words. His journey from the streets of New Orleans to national stages is nothing short of inspiring.

🏀 NBA Finals Debate: Pacers vs. Thunder?
Are the Indiana Pacers and OKC Thunder on a Finals collision course? The crew dives into a heated debate with Christopher “C-Pain” Davis, exploring if Tyrese Haliburton is truly a superstar and how the Thunder mirror the 90s Bulls.

🌟 North Carolina Athletes Shine:

Aiden Smalls (Clayton HS, Rice Football Commit) talks leadership, legacy, and bringing home a state title.

Jayden Gray (Clayton HS, Team Wall AAU) shares how he’s one of NC’s most underrated guards, with deadly range and dunk-show energy.

🏈 Women’s Sports & Community Power:
Zyykirrah Casado of the Gridiron Gang breaks down how she manages flag football, her media company, and a daycare—all while starting at center!

Elijah Battle unveils his mission with the Carolina Basketball League (CBL) [cblhoops.com], helping post-high school athletes get real opportunities through a new combine and league format.

Jatovi McDuffie previews Defending Durham, a gaming-based fundraiser (Oct 19th!) supporting teachers and first responders. Streaming live right here!

💬 Closing Freestyle Magic:
Ray Wimley wraps the night with a mind-blowing freestyle using words from the audience—reminding everyone that purpose, faith, and family always come first.


📍 Filmed live at KINGS in Raleigh, NC | Presented by Pick’em Pros

Pick'em Pros is a father son duo who enjoy talking sports, debating and having fun while doing it!

Please subscribe to the podcast today and share this content with your friends!

The NBA is entering a new era—and it feels legendary. 🔥 In this episode of Pick'em Pros, we break down the future of the league and draw bold comparisons between today’s stars and the GOAT himself, Michael Jordan.

🏀 Main Topics Covered:

More Like MJ? – Is it Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Anthony Edwards? We debate who channels Jordan’s game more: SGA’s surgical precision or Ant’s raw explosiveness.

Respect the Pacers! – Indiana’s playoff run is no fluke. We explain why they’ve earned their flowers and why the Knicks weren’t ready.

OKC = 90s Bulls? – Too soon? Maybe not. The Thunder’s depth, defense, and draft assets have us seeing déjà vu from Jordan’s dynasty days.

AAU Causing NBA Injury Crisis – Are year-round youth leagues breaking young bodies before they hit their prime? We explore how early sports specialization may be shortening NBA careers.

NBA Finals Predictions – Who’s making it to the big dance? We make our picks and break down each Conference Final matchup.

Whether you're a hoop historian or just love the game, this episode is packed with bold takes, laughs, and deep insights from a father-son duo that lives for sports talk.

Pick'em Pros is a father son duo who enjoy talking sports, debating and having fun while doing it!

Please subscribe to the podcast today and share this content with your friends!

Death, taxes, and playoff injuries altering championship dreams. We dive into how the current wave of NBA injuries has reshaped this postseason's narrative. From Steph Curry's hamstring derailing Golden State's hopes to Jason Tatum's Achilles threatening Boston's championship path, we examine whether these setbacks have tainted the playoffs or simply reinforced the brutal reality that availability is the best ability.

The Indiana Pacers have crashed the Eastern Conference Finals party after years of disrespect. We debate whether they're legitimate contenders or simply beneficiaries of an injury-riddled bracket. Did we all underestimate Tyrese Halliburton's impact and Pascal Siakam's playoff pedigree? Our heated conversation explores whether the Pacers could shock the basketball world and make a surprise NBA Finals appearance.

Game 7 between Denver and OKC looms large as a battle for Western Conference supremacy and unofficial MVP validation. We break down what went wrong for the Thunder in Game 6 when SGA's foul trouble changed everything, and predict whether Oklahoma City's electric home crowd can push them past the defending champions. Plus, we react to the NFL schedule release, debate whether the league needs a draft lottery system, and discuss the Dallas Mavericks' incredibly fortunate 1.8% chance lottery win landing them Cooper Flag to pair with Luka Dončić. Is this the birth of the NBA's next dynasty or pure luck?

Don't miss our live show at Kings in Raleigh three weeks from now featuring special guests, live music, and more sports talk than you can handle. Subscribe now and join the Pick'em Pros community!

Pick'em Pros is a father son duo who enjoy talking sports, debating and having fun while doing it!

Please subscribe to the podcast today and share this content with your friends!

Basketball fans — the NBA Playoffs have completely gone off the rails 😳 and the Pick'em Pros are here for ALL the smoke in this emergency episode!

🔥 Derrick is standing ten toes down on the Boston Celtics despite their shocking collapse and 0-2 hole. He says they're just “playing with their food” and confidently predicts 4 straight wins. But the crew isn't letting that slide...

💥 The panel dives into the Cavs’ epic collapse vs. the Pacers, debating if Indiana is just lucky or if Cleveland choked under pressure.

🚨 Plus:
- Should Celtics fans panic or trust in Kristaps' return?
- Are the Thunder for real after blowing out the chamionship tested Nuggets?
- Will Jimmy Butler turn back the clock if Curry stays out for the Warriors?
- Who’s the true threat in the West — SGA or Anthony Edwards?

From bold takes to wild predictions, this high-energy 30-minute show is packed with unfiltered NBA playoff reactions.

🎥 Episode 134 – recorded LIVE on Friday, May 9th at 7pm EST

👇 Tap in to see who’s holding strong, who’s flipping sides, and which teams the crew now thinks could win it all!

🔔 Don’t forget to Subscribe for new episodes weekly!
📲 Follow us @thePickemPros on IG, TikTok, and Twitter

#PickemPros #NBAPlayoffs #Celtics #Pacers #Cavs #Thunder #Warriors #Timberwolves #NBATalk #HotTakes #BasketballDebate #LiveShow

Pick'em Pros is a father son duo who enjoy talking sports, debating and having fun while doing it!

Please subscribe to the podcast today and share this content with your friends!

The Lakers are out—and Christopher “C-Pain” Davis has to face the music.

In Episode 133, Derrick Thompson and C-Pain dive deep into the aftermath of L.A.'s first-round playoff exit at the hands of the surging Timberwolves. Did Chris stick by his pre-playoff predictions? Is this the end of the LeBron-led Lakers era?

They also explore the rise of Anthony Edwards, who’s turning heads and drawing Michael Jordan comparisons with his fearless playoff performances. Is he the new face of the NBA?

Other hot topics include:

🏀 Warriors vs. Rockets – Can Golden State avoid an upset and stay alive?
🏀 Nuggets vs. Clippers Game 7 – Will Jokic cement his “best player” status?
🏀 Celtics, Knicks & the East – Who's the real threat to Boston?
🏈 Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft Slide – Why did he fall to Round 5, and what does it mean?
🏈 QB drama in Cleveland – Could we see changes sooner than expected?

Whether you're a Lakers fan mourning the loss, an Ant Edwards believer, or an NFL Draft junkie, this episode brings the 🔥.

🟢 Watch now and join the debate in the comments!

Pick'em Pros is a father son duo who enjoy talking sports, debating and having fun while doing it!

Please subscribe to the podcast today and share this content with your friends!

Sports history was made at KINGS Raleigh as Pick’em Pros hosted an unforgettable night of dreams, commitments, and champions in the making! 🏆

⭐ Highlights from Episode 132:
🥊 Inside Power Slap – Pro athlete Devin Jenkins joined us to reveal the technique, strength, and strategy behind this rapidly growing sport.
🏀 Historic Signing Ceremony – Jeremiah Henson (4.0 GPA) officially signed his National Letter of Intent to Central Carolina LIVE on our show!
🏀 NBA Playoffs Heat Up – Julian Heggie broke down the Celtics’ championship path and debated if Anthony Edwards is the NBA’s next “legend killer.”
🏈 Future Football Star – Rising freshman Jaylen Mickles ("Baby Deon") shared how he's balancing three sports while chasing his D1 football dreams.
⚾ MLB Stadium Rankings – Stuart Marshall delivered his full ranking after visiting all 30 Major League stadiums!
🎤 Live Performance – Tommy ViNo and Jonny O closed the night with an electric live debut of the official Pick’em Pros anthem!

🙌 Huge thanks to KINGS Raleigh for hosting us in the exclusive Royal Room VIP area—and to all our incredible special guests and fans who made this night truly special.

👉 Stay tuned and SUBSCRIBE for more LIVE shows, exclusive interviews, and unforgettable sports moments!

#PickEmPros #NBAPlayoffs #PowerSlap #CollegeSigning #MLBStadiums #SportsTalk #KingsRaleigh #LiveEvent

Pick'em Pros is a father son duo who enjoy talking sports, debating and having fun while doing it!

Please subscribe to the podcast today and share this content with your friends!

The NBA Playoffs are here and Episode 131 of Pick’em Pros delivers the ultimate first-round predictions, bold hot takes, and passionate debates that NBA fans won’t want to miss!

🏀 Eastern Conference Breakdown

• Knicks vs Pistons: Unanimous support for New York
• Bucks vs Pacers: Can Milwaukee survive without a fully healthy Dame?
• Celtics vs Magic: Are the defending champs on cruise control or vulnerable?
• Cavaliers vs Play-In Winner: Who emerges from the East’s messiest matchup?

🔥 Western Conference Fireworks

• Warriors vs Rockets: Youth vs experience – can Curry carry again?
• Lakers vs Timberwolves: LeBron’s path to another deep run or an early exit?
• Clippers, Thunder, Nuggets: Which contender rises to the top?

🎤 Special Segments:

• Bryanna joins the crew to debate Kevin Durant’s future – could the Knicks be the perfect landing spot?
• James McFarland helps settle the debate: Steph Curry or Jimmy Butler – who do you trust with the last shot?
• Hosts also debate the future of Cooper Flagg – will he return to Duke or declare for the NBA Draft?

🏆 Finals Predictions Revealed!

• Who's going all the way? The crew makes their official title picks – and let’s just say, alliances get shaken.

💥 Expect tears, trash talk, and title dreams as the Pick’em Pros break it all down. Whether you're a diehard fan or just catching playoff fever, this episode has something for everyone.

📍 Join us LIVE at Kings in Raleigh on April 26th – Only 5 Seats Left! Don’t miss the food, fun, and fire takes. 🎳🍽🎤

🔔 Like, Subscribe & Hit the Bell to stay locked in all playoff season!

#NBAPlayoffs #NBAPredictions #StephCurry #JimmyButler #KevinDurant #Lakers #Warriors #Celtics #Knicks #PickemPros #BasketballPodcast

Pick'em Pros is a father son duo who enjoy talking sports, debating and having fun while doing it!

Please subscribe to the podcast today and share this content with your friends!

Cooper Flagg's place in Duke basketball history hangs in the balance as the Blue Devils march toward a potential championship. Could he already rank as the third greatest Duke player ever with just one title? The Pick'em Pros debate his legacy against icons like Grant Hill and Christian Laettner while considering how his future NBA career might retroactively elevate his college standing – much like Michael Jordan's Carolina legacy grew exponentially after his NBA dominance.

This year's NCAA Tournament presents a fascinating anomaly with all four #1 seeds reaching the men's Final Four. Has NIL money fundamentally changed March Madness by eliminating Cinderella stories? Mid-major programs face unprecedented challenges when veteran players who show promise can simply transfer to powerhouse programs for life-changing money. Meanwhile, the women's tournament features incredible star power with Paige Bueckers' UConn standing as the only non-#1 seed across both Final Fours yet possibly the most feared team remaining.

NBA conversations heat up around the brewing Lakers-Warriors 4-5 seed first-round matchup. The Warriors' recent victory at Crypto.com Arena – complete with Steph Curry receiving MVP chants in LeBron's house – signals serious trouble for a Lakers team struggling with late-game execution. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons have recaptured their Bad Boys identity, presenting as perhaps the most compelling storyline in the NBA today.

NFL draft talk centers on the Carolina Panthers' critical decision with the #8 pick – should they prioritize a playmaking receiver like Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan or strengthen their defense? The quarterback carousel continues spinning with Aaron Rodgers' future uncertain after the Jets surprisingly moved on despite their all-in approach just months ago. Could the Patriots emerge as playoff contenders after adding Stefon Diggs to support young quarterback Drake Maye?

• Cooper Flagg's place in Duke history compared to legends like Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, and JJ Redick
• All number one seeds in the Men's Final Four and the impact of NIL on mid-major schools' tournament chances
• Women's Final Four breakdown with South Carolina vs Texas and UConn vs UCLA matchups
• Lakers-Warriors potential first-round playoff matchup and concerns about Lakers' late-game execution
• Detroit Pistons' resurgence with Bad Boys-style defensive identity under coach JB Bickerstaff
• Carolina Panthers' NFL Draft strategy with the 8th pick – receiver or defensive line priority
• Aaron Rodgers' uncertain future after being released by Jets despite their all-in approach
• Patriots' playoff potential after adding Stefon Diggs and strengthening their offense around Drake Maye

Don't miss our upcoming live show at King's on April 26th featuring special guests including Power Slap athlete Devin Jenkins and promising high school athletes ready to announce their college commitments. Grab your tickets now before they sell out!

Pick'em Pros is a father son duo who enjoy talking sports, debating and having fun while doing it!

Please subscribe to the podcast today and share this content with your friends!