The Athletic NBA Show The Athletic

Tampering
Sam Amick and Anthony Slater are joined by The Athletic's best to preview the Western Conference playoffs. The guys are joined by Jon Krawczynski, Law Murray, and Jovan Buha to get the latest on the teams they cover, and what to expect in the playoffs.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mo Dakhil and Dave DuFour recap the Eastern Conference Play-In games. The Sixers hold off the Heat to clinch the East's 7 seed and a first round matchup with the Knicks. The Bulls crush the Hawks thanks to 42 from Coby White.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nerder
Seth Partnow, Mo Dakhil, and Dave DuFour react to the Western Conference Play-In games. The Lakers move on to the playoffs after withstanding Zion Williamson's epic performance. The Kings destroy the Warriors and might have ended the dynasty.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hoops Adjacent
David Aldridge and Marcus Thompson are joined by the Timberwolves star Naz Reid to discuss the Wolves' playoff aspirations and what they look forward to in their first round matchup. Reid also discusses being undrafted, his thoughts on the sixth man of the year award, and which of Anthony Edwards dunks was his favorite. And why is his jumper so smooth?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Basket Buds
Zach Harper is joined by The Athletic's Will Guillory and Dave DuFour to preview the loaded Play-in matchups between the 76ers and the Heat, Hawks and Bulls, Lakers and Pelicans, and the Warriors and the Kings. They debate who has the most to lose by not advancing, and look ahead to dabble in the matchups that are already set for the playoffs. The best time of year is here!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slam and Jam
Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers recap the week that was in the NBA, discuss the Slam and Jam end of season awards (the Slammys), and then Keith Parish of Gritz and Grindz joins to discuss the Grizzlies and their season they end with a fun edition of Andrew vs. The Beat.
1) “I wasn’t familiar with your game” Award
a. This award goes to the player whose ceiling changed the most this year compared to how we felt about them coming into the season
2) Prepare for Takeoff Award
a. This award goes to the player who we believe is most primed to take a massive leap next season (similar to Haliburton, Maxey, Barnes, Ant, etc. this season)
3) The Rollercoaster Award
a. This award goes to the team who we changed our opinion on the most violently this season.
4) The Time Traveler from August 2024 Award
a. A time traveler shows up from August 2024. They only have time to tell you about what happened to one team this upcoming offseason (draft, free agency, trades). This award goes to the team we’d pick.
5) Stat of the Season
a. This award goes to the stat that we still can’t believe is real.
6) Anti-League Pass Team of the Year Award
a. This award goes to the team that we watched the least.
7) NBA Beat Reporter of the Year
a. This award goes to the beat reporter/team podcaster who we thought had the best season
8) Best Take of the Year
a. This award goes to the take we are most proud of.
9) Worst Take of the Year
a. This award goes to the take we are most embarrassed by.
10) Bold Prediction for the NBA Playoffs
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices