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Dan and Grant check in on the Portland Trail Blazers, the Dallas Mavericks and the rise of Cooper Flagg, the state of the Detroit Pistons and the surging Golden State Warriors. After that, they hit a bunch of news items, including recently declined team options, speculation about the Oklahoma City Thunder blowing it up, the effectiveness of the NBA's points of emphasis, Adam Silver being open to 40-minute games and more! TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 3:17 - The Warriors are ON FIRE 25:47 - Are people sleeping on the Pistons? 43:35 - Everybody was wrong about the Blazers 1:02:45 - Cooper Flagg ascending for the Mavericks 1:19:24 - Should the Thunder go nuclear? 1:31:03 - Early NBA points of emphasis returns 1:35:44 - 40-minute games?! 1:42:05 - Gather Steps SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan discusses the recent report about the Phoenix Suns being frustrated they don't have a real point guard. He gets into why he wouldn't be in a rush to trade substantial assets, but then also offers a potential avenue for Phoenix to explore. SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan and Grant take turns spotlighting some of the most concerning starts to the 2026-27 NBA season and decide whether it's time for patience or panic. Their run-through includes the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Anthony Davis, the Minnesota Timberwolves without Anthony Edwards, the Indiana Pacers without Tyrese Haliburton, the Toronto Raptors without Kawhi Leonard, Naz Reid drama in Charlotte, and more! TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 3:41 - Miami Heat 18:04 - Minnesota Timberwolves  29:19 - Phoenix Suns 38:46 - Denver Nuggets 46:52 - Orlando Magic 55:37 - Indiana Pacers 1:00:57 - New York Knicks 1:07:43 - Toronto Raptors 1:13:14 - Portland Trail Blazers 1:18:33 - Cam Boozer’s efficiency  1:22:55 - Egor Dëmin 1:24:54 - New Orleans Pelicans 1:28:18 - Utah Jazz 1:33:15 - Anthony Davis 1:36:44 - Naz Reid  1:39:09 - STAT Padding SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan and Grant take turns selecting players whose perception is outstripping reality. Picks include names that are receiving too much negative attention, but also those whose reputations are becoming overinflated. Please consider supporting the show on Patreon, where you can get EVERY EPISODE AD-FREE plus TWO BONUS pods a month:  https://www.patreon.com/cw/hardwoodknocksnba. SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan and Grant run alternating picking their biggest winners from opening week of the 2026-27 NBA season. They also tackle the devastating Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace injury news and it's impact on the Thunder. Then, they do the same for Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs and the Magic. Finally, they hit some of the newsier items, including Nikola Jokic's thoughts on booing Nuggets fans and the latest Jaylen Brown rumors and Celtics beef. TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 2:23 - Where do the Thunder go from here? 20:40 - Houston Rockets 30:05 - Minnesota Timberwolves  41:17 - Philadelphia 76ers 50:44 - Portland Trail Blazers 55:55 - Los Angeles Lakers 1:01:17 - Memphis Grizzlies 1:06:20 - Injury watch in Utah 1:08:26 - Orlando Magic injury fallout 1:11:29 - Kawhi Leonard injury fallout  1:14:27 - Detroit Pistons injuries 1:17:05 - Nikola Jokic comments on boo birds 1:20:05 - Jaylen Brown, Celtics and lamb chops JOIN OUR ANNUAL OVER/UNDER COMPETITION SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan and Grant run through a list of overreactions from the start of the 2026-27 NBA season and decide whether they're going to buy or sell them. TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 3:08 - The Bulls are the worst team in the East 10:25 - Victor Wembanyama's MVP case is overrated 5:12 - The Thunder are in a tier of their own 18:52 - Boston has real offensive problems 21:56 - What are the Wizards doing with Will Riley? 24:51 - Was the Ausar Thompson contract a mistake? 27:04 - Was the Amen Thompson contract a mistake? 30:24 - Jabari Smith Jr. will take more threes 32:36 - Ron Holland II’s future in Detroit 34:08 - The Orlando Magic solved their offense 37:05 - Paolo Banchero will make All-NBA 39:27 - The Warriors will be relegated  43:59 - Mike Dunleavy Jr. should be fired 51:59 - The Suns have the bleakest future in the NBA 57:10 - Depth is going to ruin the Heat 59:46 - Giannis shouldn’t sign an extension 1:00:44 - Lakers have a top-three trio 1:04:34 - Joel Embiid is cooked  1:09:42 - LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards will hit more threes than an entire team 1:12:57 - The Knicks don’t need to trade for a center  1:14:57 - Naz Reid will be top-two in Hornets assists 1:16:27 - Trevon Brazile is who Kel’el Ware was supposed to be 1:18:22 - Taylor Jenkins is the Bucks’ cornerstone 1:19:37 - Ty Lue is guilty! 1:20:41 - Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the Hawks’ MVP 1:21:44 - James Harden is washed  1:23:06 - Ty Jerome is better than Ja Morant  1:24:16 - The Nets will be top five in opponent TOV% 1:25:50 - Hipsters overhyped the Utah Jazz JOIN OUR ANNUAL OVER/UNDER COMPETITION SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan and Grant drop their picks to win every major 2026-27 NBA season award while providing some WILD CARD options to monitor for each of the following categories: MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of the Year, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. Then, they make their NBA Finals predictions! TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 5:41 - MVP 18:38 - Defensive Player of the Year 27:01 - Rookie of the Year 42:21 - Most Improved Player 51:09 - Sixth Man of the Year 1:01:18 - Coach of the Year 1:13:26 - Executive Player of the Year 1:17:29 - NBA Finals predictions JOIN OUR ANNUAL OVER/UNDER COMPETITION SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan and Mort Jensen from The NBA Podcast and Yahoo Sports break down one question they have for each team in the Western Conference entering the 2026-27 NBA season! TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 2:09 - Oklahoma City Thunder 11:58 - Denver Nuggets 19:33 - Los Angeles Clippers 25:53 - Los Angeles Lakers 30:12 - Minnesota Timberwolves 36:59 - Portland Trail Blazers 42:31 - Utah Jazz 49:18 - Phoenix Suns 55:36 - Golden State Warriors 1:00:01 - Sacramento Kings 1:07:46 - San Antonio Spurs 1:19:15  - Houston Rockets 1:24:19 - New Orleans Pelicans 1:32:24 - Dallas Mavericks 1:39:31 - Memphis Grizzlies JOIN OUR ANNUAL OVER/UNDER COMPETITION SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan and Mort Jensen from The NBA Podcast and Yahoo Sports break down one question they have for each team in the Eastern Conference entering the 2026-27 NBA season! TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 2:03 - Boston Celtics 10:03 - New York Knicks 16:28 - Toronto Raptors 25:09 - Philadelphia 76ers 33:51 - Brooklyn Nets 38:57 - Detroit Pistons 47:45 - Cleveland Cavaliers 53:12 - Milwaukee Bucks 1:00:58 - Chicago Bulls 1:06:21 - Indiana Pacers 1:11:05 - Atlanta Hawks 1:16:54 - Orlando Magic 1:22:59 - Charlotte Hornets 1:28:48 - Miami Heat 1:36:07 - Washington Wizards JOIN OUR ANNUAL OVER/UNDER COMPETITION SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan is joined by Matthew Tynan (@Matthew_Tynan) from Locked On Spurs and the Corporate Knowledge Substack to break down the 2026-27 San Antonio Spurs. SUBSCRIBE TO LOCKED ON SPURS ON YOUTUBE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:38 - Biggest takeaway from last season 4:49 - Playing De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper together 10:18 - Dylan Harper’s continued development 15:00 - Stephon Castle’s next frontier 17:37 - The importance of De’Aaron Fox 24:30 - Victor Wembanyama’s area of improvements 33:19 - Tarris Reed Jr.’s rookie-year role + playing big 35:29 - Jayden Quiantance outlook 39:25 - Carter Bryant’s developmental arc 41:32 - Ranking Tobias Harris, Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes and Carter Bryant 44:59 - Juggling development with winning 47:02 - Will the Spurs extend Devin Vassell or Keldon Johnson? 50:22 - The Wembanyama extension 52:10 - Biggest needs 53:40 - Players flying under the radar 57:13 - Top-10 rotation 57:52 - Go-to crunch-time lineup 59:13 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 1:01:27 - PREDICTIONS 1:06:29 - BEHIND THE PAYWALL TAKES JOIN OUR ANNUAL OVER/UNDER COMPETITION SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan and Grant come up with their own over/under lines for every team in the Western Conference that have NOTHING to do with wins and losses. From the Minnesota Timberwolves' combined ranking on offense and defense to Zach Edey's number of games played to Ja Morant's spot-up three-point volume, they're covering EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING. And yes, we're CHOOSING A SIDE on EVERY line! CHECK OUT THE EASTERN CONFERENCE VERSION HERE: https://youtube.com/live/GhOEUJd-nIY. TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 6:27 - Dallas Mavericks 13:30 - Denver Nuggets 26:31 - Houston Rockets 32:40 - Los Angeles Clippers 38:34 - Los Angeles Lakers 44:19 - Memphis Grizzlies 48:47 - Minnesota Timberwolves 53:27 - New Orleans Pelicans 59:30 - Oklahoma City Thunder 1:03:45 - Phoenix Suns 1:08:20 - Portland Trail Blazers 1:13:34 - Sacramento Kings 1:20:25 - San Antonio Spurs 1:34:57 - Utah Jazz JOIN OUR ANNUAL OVER/UNDER COMPETITION SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan is joined by Rob Flom (@richhomieflom) from 213 Hoops and The Lob The Jam podcast to break down the 2026-27 Los Angeles Clippers. TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:31 - How are fans feeling about this team? 5:37 - Clippers’ offseason approach 10:55 - How will the Clippers go about rebuilding? 15:05 - The plan for Darius Garland 19:32 - Keaton Wagler breakdown 34:00 - Development of Kobe Sanders 36:25 - Future of Jordan Miller 40:13 - What will be the Clippers’ identity? 43:22 - Yanic Konan-Niederhauser breakdown 50:14 - Early impressions of Baba Miller 52:24 - The frontcourt rotation 55:51 - Brandon Ingram’s fit 59:53 - Rui Hachimura’s fit 1:04:13 - The value of Kris Dunn 1:06:47 - L.A.’s path to being a good defense 1:09:08 - Biggest needs 1:10:29 - Clippers under-the-radar storylines 1:11:59 - Top-10 rotation 1:13:35 - Go-to crunch-time lineup 1:14:16 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 1:15:54 - Nick Martinelli breakdown 1:17:04 - Jalen Pickett and Ty Lue 1:21:02 - What does John Gibpson have the power to do? 1:23:05 - PREDICTIONS JOIN OUR ANNUAL OVER/UNDER COMPETITION SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️ [email protected]

Dan is joined by Samson Folk (@samfolkk) of Raptors Republic and Basketball, She Wrote to break down the 2026-27 Toronto Raptors Raptors. Subscribe to Raptors Republic and Basketball, She Wrote on YouTube! TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:01 - The origin of Caitlin Cooper’s and Samson Folk’s friendship 3:46 - Toronto’s offseason approach 7:01  - Scottie Barnes’ playmaking and scoring development 13:44 - Kawhi Leonard’s impact 15:42 - Immanuel Quickley’s role and future 21:04 - RJ Barrett’s role and future 26:01 - Where are the Raptors on Ja’Kobe Walter? 28:47 - Collin Murray-Boyles’ development + lineup construction 36:44 - The importance of Jakob Poeltl + secondary big rotation 44:32 - Allen Graves elevator pitch 45:59 - Jamal Shead’s role 47:30 - Does Toronto have enough shooting? 49:24 - The transition offensive improvement 50:00 - Top-10 rotation 51:29 - Go-to crunch-time lineup 51:56 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 52:32 - PREDICTIONS JOIN OUR ANNUAL OVER/UNDER COMPETITION SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️

Dan and Grant come up with their own over/under lines for every team in the Eastern Conference that have NOTHING to do with wins and losses. Then, they make predictions off of those numbers. TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 2:37 - Atlanta Hawks 7:15 - Boston Celtics 12:32 - Brooklyn Nets 16:26 - Charlotte Hornets 22:51 - Chicago Bulls 26:53 - Cleveland Cavaliers 32:22 - Detroit Pistons 39:38 - Indiana Pacers 44:35 - Miami Heat 50:42 - Milwaukee Bucks 53:03 - New York Knicks 1:01:03 - Orlando Magic 1:06:15 - Philadelphia 76ers 1:13:19 - Toronto Raptors 1:18:01 - Washington Wizards JOIN OUR ANNUAL OVER/UNDER COMPETITION SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️

Dan and Grant hold a draft "lottery" in which they alternate picking NBA players they're most intrigued by for the 2026-27 season. There's just one catch: Once a player is selected, nobody else from his team can be chosen! As you test-drive this AD-FREE content, consider supporting us on Patreon or our YouTube membership section.  ALSO: DON'T FORGET TO JOIN OUR OVER/UNDER COMPETITION. TIMESTAMPS⤵️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:50 - Draft criteria 4:27 - Pick No. 1 8:41 - Pick No. 2 13:41 - Pick No. 3 18:39 - Pick No. 4 22:25 - Pick No. 5 26:17 - Pick No. 6 32:07 - Pick No. 7 38:20 - Pick No. 8 42:59 - Pick No. 9  46:47 - Pick No. 10 51:25 - Pick No. 11 56:10 - Pick No. 12 1:02:32 - Pick No. 13 1:07:50 - Pick No. 14 + Honorable Mentions JOIN OUR ANNUAL OVER/UNDER COMPETITION SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TikTok: @hardwoodknocks Twitter @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale Dan's Twitter: @danfavale Dan's IG: @danfavale Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️