Basketball by Association

Episode 177: It's the final episode of Season 5 as Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes break down the Jalen Brunson signing and DeMar DeRozan trade, as well as the rumors surrounding Brandon Ingram, Russell Westbrook and Lauri Markkanen. They also dig through the most overrated and underrated signings in the 2024 NBA Free Agency class so far, as well as the available needle-moving names.

Episode 176: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes round up the biggest stories so far from 2024 NBA Free Agency, the 2024 NBA Draft and recent offseason trades. This includes Paul George, Isaiah Hartenstein, Mikal Bridges, Chris Paul, Rob Dillingham, Klay Thompson, Bronny James, Zach Edey and more!

Episode 175: Why are the Boston Celtics so dominant? Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes break down the "relentless inevitability" of this team that has flown under the radar. They discuss Kyrie Irving's renaissance with the Dallas Mavericks, why the Los Angeles Lakers seem poised to make a big coaching mistake, and they also share their favorite memories of the iconic Bill Walton and Jerry West.

Episode 174: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes point out how the future can be bright for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers, despite such disappointing playoff ousters. They also detail how the Dallas Mavericks can actually have a shot in the 2024 NBA Finals against the juggernaut Boston Celtics.

Episode 173: Denver Nuggets or Minnesota Timberwolves: Who do ya got in Game 7? Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes pick their winners in this prize fight. They also debate whether the New York Knicks can finally shed the Indiana Pacers and become a threat to the Boston Celtics. Finally, they also discuss the Kyrie Irving Reputation Restoration Tour and how the Dallas Mavericks have exposed the Oklahoma City Thunder's youth. All that and more on Basketball by Association!

Episode 172: Are the Minnesota Timberwolves as dominant as they've looked so far against the Denver Nuggets? Have the referees been helping the New York Knicks past the Indiana Pacers? Are the Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers actual threats to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics, respectively? Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes check in on each 2024 NBA Playoffs semifinal series.

Episode 171: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes buckle up for a retro-modern semifinal matchup between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers. They also detail why the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves may give us an all-time classic showing. Would the Boston Celtics rather see the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Orlando Magic? And can the Dallas Mavericks actually test the Oklahoma City Thunder? All that and more on Basketball by Association!

Episode 170: Do the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers suddenly have enough life to be dangerous? Are the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers already cooked? Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes check in with each 2024 NBA Playoffs series, detailing how the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves have dominated while the Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks have made things interesting.

Episode 169: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes prognosticate every first-round matchup for the 2024 NBA Playoffs. They tackle big storylines like the Dallas Mavericks needing to win a series, why the Phoenix Suns are the worst possible matchup for the Minnesota Timberwolves, how the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers are prepared for a bloodbath, and why the Milwaukee Bucks are about to be embarrassed by the Indiana Pacers.

Episode 168: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes break down the nearly formed 2024 NBA Playoffs field while wondering whether the Denver Nuggets are the West's team to beat. Who do the other top teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder want to see in the first round? They also assess the threat level teams like the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers pose to the front-running Boston Celtics.

Episode 167: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes break down the race between the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder for the West's No. 1 seed. They also sort out a wild 2-8 finish in the Eastern Conference while discussing Bronny James' future and Rajon Rondo's impactful NBA career.

Episode 166: Why is Anthony Edwards already being linked to Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan? Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes have answers. They also weigh the Minnesota Timberwolves' ceiling after Karl Anthony Towns' meniscus tear. Additionally, they predict which teams are positioned for strong finishes to the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season while also lamenting franchises that have yet to host an NBA All-Start game.

Episode 165: Let all hand-wringing cease and the tears be wiped away... Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes have fixed the NBA All-Star game and all problems with no defense and high scoring are solved! Well, sort of. The guys also make predictions for the home stretch of the NBA season while breaking down Mike Conley's extension in Minnesota and Jacque Vaughn's firing in Brooklyn, plus much more.

Episode 164: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes break down the NBA's landscape leading into the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, including the biggest surprises and disappointments so far. They also weigh the staying power of the New York Knicks, LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder in their respective conferences.

Episode 163: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes are not happy with the Milwaukee Bucks after firing Adrian Griffin, but they're furious for replacing him with Doc Rivers. They also break down the beauty of the Indiana Pacers' trade for Pascal Siakam, how Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat is a no-brainer, LeBron James' 20th All-Star selection, and why Joel Embiid's 70 points is more than just "the W" that Karl Anthony Towns couldn't get with his 62.

Episode 162: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes are losing hope in the Golden State Warriors but remain fine with the Los Angeles Lakers' recent skid. They break down what the OG Anunoby trade means to the New York Knicks and whether RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley will be Toronto Raptors long-term. They also check in on Victor Wembanyama's Spurs supporting cast and what the plan is in San Antonio.

Episode 161: It's finally time for the Golden State Warriors to trade Draymond Green following his most recent suspension. Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes set the market, destinations and expectations for the Dubs' lightning rod. They also break down Giannis Antetokounmpo's 64-point eruption and debate whether the Phoenix Suns are dangerous or not now that they have Bradley Beal back.

Episode 160: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes have been watching Tyrese Haliburton and these Indiana Pacers longer than most. Here's all you've been missing as they burst onto the national stage against a championship-ready LeBron James and his L.A. Lakers. They also discuss the miserable Detroit Pistons, the New York Knicks' star "problem," the staying power of the Minnesota Timberwolves and what the NBA's In-Season Tournament's real value has proven to be.

Episode 159: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes detail Anthony Edwards' evolution and how it propelled the Minnesota Timberwolves to such a strong start. They also break down how Kyrie Irving's sacrifices have helped the Dallas Mavericks while wondering if Russell Westbrook can do the same for the James Harden-ed L.A. Clippers. Draymond Green's headlock, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers also make this yet another fun episode of Basketball by Association!

Episode 158: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes share their initial likes and dislikes of the NBA Cup so far as well as lamenting nearly everything about the James Harden trade for all involved. They also break down early-season surprises, disappointments and failed predictions from the NBA's first couple of weeks.

Episode 157: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes round up the first few nights of the NBA season by discussing Damian Lillard and Victor Wembanyama's debuts, as well as one big-market coach who may already be in trouble. They also discuss the NBA All-Star Game's return to a traditional format, James Harden's latest drama and how honoring Kobe Bryant is in danger of becoming cynically promotional in some circles.

Which teams will compete for the 2024 NBA Championship? Which up-and-comers will take a big leap forward and who will disappoint? Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes predict how each conference will finish, along with winners for the NBA MVP, COY, ROY, DPOY and 6th Man of the Year awards. They also forecast playoff brackets and their favorite bets.

Episode 155: Which NBA teams got better, worse or stayed the same after this offseason? Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes break down what's in store for the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns and every other franchise in the Western Conference.

Episode 154: Which NBA teams got better, worse or stayed the same after this offseason? Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes break down the progress (or lack thereof) for the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and every other franchise in the Eastern Conference.

Episode 153: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes break down the blockbuster Damian Lillard trade to the Milwaukee Bucks from all angles, including what it means for the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers. They also predict what's next for James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers. (HINT: It's probably not good.)

Episode 152: The new "NBA Cup" is a cool idea, but one that's missing a TON of no-brainer features. From raising the stakes to changing the dates and format, Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes debate how to improve the in-season tournament before it even begins. They also break down important offseason news for Damian Lillard, the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons and much more.

Episode 151: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes break down the latest Damian Lillard trade rumors while also throwing in a few destinations of their own. Next, they weigh big moves made by the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and others all hoping to sit atop next year's NBA standings.

Episode 150: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes ponder the next areas of improvement and NBA mountains for Nikola Jokic to climb. They also preview the latest hurdles for the Miami Heat and how that may or may not tie into Bradley Beal's reported desire to be traded by the Washington Wizards. But which other teams make sense for the 3-time All-Star? Find out all that and more!

Episode 149: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes tell the rest of the story behind this historic tear that the Denver Nuggets' stars are on. They also break down how Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat can respond, as well as the disconcerting signs coming from the Phoenix Suns due to recent news about Chris Paul and Frank Vogel.

Episode 148: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes break down the keys to the 2024 NBA Finals and make their predictions. They also weigh the history-making coaching hire of Monty Williams by the Detroit Pistons as well as Nick Nurse going to the Philadelphia 76ers and Adrian Griffin joining the Milwaukee Bucks.

LeBron James isn't going to retire (permanently) from the NBA, y'all. Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes tell you why while walking through all the scenarios that could happen instead. They also weigh whether the Boston Celtics can turn the tables against the Miami Heat in Game 5 and beyond. Finally, they break down why the Denver Nuggets have finally arrived as the prohibitive favorites for a ring.

Episode 146: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes detail how the Miami Heat became the scariest underdog in NBA history while marveling at the perfection that is Victor Wembanyama winding up in San Antonio. They next make sense of the recent firings of Doc Rivers, Monty Williams, Mike Budenholzer and other top coaches while wondering what comes next for Ja Morant's unraveling career. Finally, they break down how Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets can keep LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers at bay.

Episode 145: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes check in on each of the NBA Playoffs semifinals series, breaking down which of the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers or Miami Heat will advance to the Conference Finals and who might be sneakily susceptible to an upset.

Episode 144: One or two games does not a series make, but Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes already see warning signs for the Warriors, Sixers, Heat and Suns. They also debate whether now was the time for Joel Embiid to win MVP and if Nikola Jokic will finally add a dominating "revenge game" to his career highlights package.

Episode 143: Different scenarios, same results: The NBA's big-market teams wind back up in the spotlight. Jimmy Butler and a bunch of first-round "underdogs" have upended everything we once thought we knew about these 2024 NBA Playoffs. Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes sift through what it means for the next round and beyond.

Episode 142: Are the Sacramento Kings about to dethrone the defending champs? Can the L.A. Lakers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks pull off big upsets? Will the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers take care of business early? Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes check in on each first-round series of the 2024 NBA Playoffs now that everyone has a few games under their belts.

Episode 141: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes break down each of the first-round matchups in the 2024 NBA Playoffs and pick their winners.

Episode 140: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes react to the latest damaging report on Ja Morant's off-court behavior. They also give credit to a Los Angeles Lakers team that seems to be getting more dangerous each week. Plus, they forecast the seeds and winners of the upcoming NBA Play-in Tournament while also picking who the 3rd place Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings should want to see in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Episode 139: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes weigh how much blame Kyrie Irving shoulders for the Dallas Mavericks' steep decline. They also discuss which NBA Play-in Tournament teams could be a first-round threat, whether the Boston Celtics are to be feared or eagerly awaited, and why the Phoenix Suns have all the right pieces for a deep run.

Episode 138: Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes remember "The Captain", New York Knicks legend Willis Reed while also brainstorming what else Ja Morant can do to stay on track. They then break down the biggest surprises of the NBA season's final stretch and whether the Milwaukee Bucks are truly a cut above the rest.