Many believe that the worst position as a franchise in the NBA is to be a fringe contender. You're not good enough to realistically challenge for a championship, but never have a shot at getting lottery talent from skating into the playoffs every year just to leave your fanbase disappointed. The Toronto Raptors in the East, and the LA Clippers in the West, are both arguably in this position. However, both franchises have accomplished more in the last few years than in their entire history. So the question is... is it time for each team to blow it up? Also, the NBA second round, despite their blowouts.still has some intriguing matchups. Who will win the battle of Texas? And is the funeral series a budding rivalry?

No Look Pass Podcast

NLP Episode 66: The Future of LA and Canadian Basketball/NBA Second Round

The story of the NBA playoffs first round is most commonly breakout performances by the could-be future of the league, and the 2017 first round has certainly not lacked such standouts. John Wall has led the Wizards, the Greek Freak has led the Bucks, and we haven't even discussed the two-man MVP race going head to head out West in Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Who has been the most impressive thus far in the first round? There has also been a very surprising development out in the East as the first seed Celtic find themselves trailing to the largely disappointing Chicago Bulls. Can the Bulls complete the upset, and what does that mean for the East as a whole?

NLP Podcast Episode 65: Can the Wizards win the East?

You read the title, and think we are crazy, don't you? Well, it's a bit of click-bait (everyone else is doing it, blame peer pressure!) We discuss the three man race for MVP between Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and (maybe?) Kawhi Leonard. Then, we decide how 2015-2016 Steph Curry would fare in this year's MVP conversation. From there, it's straight to the playoffs! Are there upsets on the agenda? Which series are we most excited for? Who will be the MVP of the first round? And of course, predictions!    

NLP Podcast Episode 64: Could Steph Curry win MVP?/Playoff Preview

The previous impenetrable force that was the Golden State Warriors suffered a big blow to what many believed was an inevitability, the 2016 NBA championship, when Kevin Durant suffered an MCL sprain that will leave him out possibly for the rest of the regular season. Of course, the news could have been much worse, so does this change the outcome of the Western Conference? How do the recent signings of Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut by the Cavaliers impact a potential Finals showdown against the Warriors? We also spent a week with newly acquired DeMarcus Cousins and the New Orleans Pelicans to see how the Boogie and Brow show looks long term.

NLP Podcast Episode 63: Does the Kevin Durant injury open up the West?

The all- star weekend is upon us with many exciting storylines among them. The West locker room is certainly an interesting bunch, with the Warriors mingling with Russell Westbrook, and DeMarcus Cousins always liable to get T'd up. What part of all-star weekend are we looking forward to the most? Plus, we continued our journey around the NBA by stopping in Utah with the Jazz. Where exactly is this team heading in the thick of things, and is this finally the season that they make some noise in the playoffs?

NLP Podcast Episode 62: Utah Jazz - Grit N' Grind 2.0?/All-Star Weekend Preview

You would be hardpressed to find somebody before the season started that wouldn't have taken Paul George to build their franchise around in a hearbeat. He has it all: two-way player, can play multiple positions (he did come in the league as a shooting guard, after all), and a knack for the big moment. This season, however, has definitely had its struggles for George and the Pacers. So we ask: is he still someone you want to build your team around? And it's trade season! So you know we have to play around with some trade rumors.

NLP Podcast Episode 61: Paul George still a franchise player?/Trade season!

The Central division has turned out to be quite the interesting mix of teams, with the emergence of the Greek Freak as a superstar, and the disappointment of teams like the Pacers. The Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls may both fall into the category of disappointments as well, especially with the amount of talent on each squad. First, for the Pistons, we will discuss the continuing development of Andre Drummond, what should be their true starting five, and where we stand on Reggie Jackson as a starting point guard. Then, how the Bulls are like the Brooklyn Nets, a new nickname for Jimmy Butler, and what the Bulls should do about their point guard problem.

NLP Podcast Episode 60: Are the Bulls wasting Jimmy Butler's Prime?

Although LeBron is still dissatisfied, many have labeled Kyle Korver as the missing piece to another Cavaliers championship run, especially in the absence of JR Smith. Are we ready to go that far, and what do other teams need as their final piece to the puzzle? We also discuss our week with the Denver Nuggets. Which European reigns supreme at the center of the Nuggets offense? Is Kenneth Faried still good? Does Mike Malone know what a rotation is? And is this possibly the deepest team in the league

NLP Podcast Episode 59: Are we freaking out over Kyle Korver?

When Tom Thibodeau took the coaching job with the Timberwolves, expectations skyrocketed, and many (including ourselves) had the Wolves as a compeitor in the playoffs. So far, that has not come to fruition, but are we sure that is still a bad thing? How much did we miss Thibs yelling ICE! on the sidelines? And are we sure that Andrew Wiggins is the second best player on the Wolves, when just a year ago we were trying to decide if he was the best player on the wolves?  

NLP Podcast Episode 58: Minnesota KATs

The New York contingency at the NBA draft who booed the giant European guy the Knicks drafted at #4 seems like a decade ago now, as the Porzingod now rules NYC. Are the Knicks Porzingis's team? What did we expect from Derrick Rose this season? Who is the Knicks best center? Also, would you trade for Demarcus Cousins? And should 24 year olds be resting

NLP Podcast Episode 57: Who do the Knicks belong to?/Restgate

    Without D'Angelo Russell, the Lakers have hit a bit of a rough patch. Still, the future is bright. Lou Williams may be sixth man of the year, and Jordan Clarkson still sounds like one of the better deal in free agency. Brandon Ingram may need to sit out games for the buffet table.   Milwaukee is more on the cusp, and may be the sleeper in the east. Is the Greek Freak the Greek superstar? Is Jabari a worthy Robin? And how exactly does Matthew Dellavadova get things done

NLP Podcast Episode 56: Baby Lakers and Milwaukee Freaks Double Feature

The Washington Wizards signed Bradley Beal to a monster free agent deal this offseason, but the Wizards slow start under new coach Scott Brooks has some wondering what exactly the backcourt of Beal and John Wall will bring the Wizards. Is it time to ditch the experiment? Markieff Morris, subtraction by addition? Has Marcus Thornton played for every team in the league? From there, the hosts will switch coasts and visit the Phoenix Suns. Who is the odd man out? Is Devin Booker the next star, or did we crown him too early? Follow the podcast on twitter @NLPPodcast!

NLP Podcast Epsiode 55: The Washington Wall's and Phoenix Youth Double Feature

DeMar DeRozen leads the league in scoring, and Kyle Lowry is playing a great supporting role. But, is that enough to make the Raptors a contender for the Eastern Conference or is this just their MO now? We also attempt to find DeMarre Carroll, and figure out how to pronounce Bebe. Speaking of contenders, the LA Clippers are also on the menu, and their probability of winning the Western Conference.

NLP Podcast Episode 54: The Toronto Back Courts

When Mike D'Antoni took the job in Houston, many wondered how the creative offensive mind would work with one of the most prolific offensive players the NBA has ever seen in James Harden. His solution: turn the prolific shooting guard into a prolific point guard.  BRILLIANT! Or is it? Also, it is easy to make predictions in the preseason, but sometimes it takes a few games to really feel good about them. Which predictions are we sitting comfortably with? And are the Baby Lakers suddenly the most entertaining team in Los Angeles?

NLP Podcast Episode 52: The Houston Point Hardens

We start our journey around the NBA, where we watch every team for one week out west with the Portland Trailblazers. Damian Lillard starts his MVP campaign? Which Blazer reminds us the bad old days in Portland, and what does 150 million dollars buy you in today's NBA? Plus, we venture into the Warriors first loss, and try to figure out which superstar stuck without much talent we feel worse for, Russell Westbrook or Anthony Davis? Follow the podcast on twitter @NLPPodcast and like us on facebook at facebook.com/nlppod.

NLP Podcast Episode 51: The Portland Trailblazing Dame-Dollas

Frank Santos and Andy Flint discuss all the happenings around the NBA while more than likely insulting each other.

hubhopper

No Look Pass Podcast

hubhopper