Learning Basketball

Ep. 153 Learning Basketball with Es Baraheni @JustEsBaraheni @SwishTheoryKawhi Trade Official, Raptors Dynamic Defense with Es Baraheni – Kawhi’s Fit in Toronto, Darko’s Rajakovic’s Belief in Scottie Barnes’ Star Trajectory, Collin Murray-Boyles & Allen Graves Bench DepthTimeline:00:00 — Raptors’ defensive identity and Kawhi’s fit02:16 — Show introduction and guest welcome02:47 — Kawhi’s return to Toronto and the fan reaction12:14 — Trade details, roster construction, and Kawhi’s on-court fit25:04 — Scottie Barnes’ development and Darko Rajaković’s belief in him32:32 — Allen Graves’ role, shooting, and defensive upside38:56 — Guard rotation: Immanuel Quickley and Jamal Shead42:52 — Remaining roster needs: center, creation, and the Sabonis discussion48:24 — League-wide trends in size, skill, rebounding, and how teams counter Wembanyama62:56 — Closing thoughts

Ep. 77 Learning Basketball with Zena Keita! @itszenakeitaZena Keita covers all things Golden State Basketball between the Warriors for NBC and the Valkyries for CBS as a TV Analyst. She also hosts two basketball podcasts (NBA Daily, No Offseason) with The Athletic NBA & WNBA.Timeline: 00:00 Introduction & Background to Zena Keita’s Journey in Basketball, Sports Media Advice, Breakthrough Career Moments05:00 The Golden State Valkyries Expansion Draft09:00 How to credit the Valkyries early success under the team building of GM Ohemaa Nyanin, team culture built by HC Natalie Nakase, leadership of Owner Joe Lacob, and second chance opportunity being taken on by the players18:00 The Consistency of Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr's Coaching Philosophy and Impact Heading into Year 1225:00 Golden State Warriors' Franchise Outlook in the Jimmy Butler Era with another peak Steph season looming despite an uncertain future with Kuminga35:00 Top-5 Most Interesting 2025-26 NBA Storylines36:00 OKC Thunder's Dynasty Potential, how high of a ceiling does Bane give the Orlando Magic?39:00 Warriors' Two-Timeline Strategy, Kevin Durant Rockets Offensive Identity, Cooper Flagg Living Up To Hype vs Mavs Sleeping Giants43:00 How will the Luka LeBron Ayton Lakers surprise us this season? Are the Atlanta Hawks winning 50 games and a Top-4 seed? Can we finally trust the reloaded Clippers in the Playoffs? Is Giannis' Future in Milwaukee Secured?Full video and clips on youtube/twitter/spotify: @beyondtherk

Ep. 152 Learning Basketball with Grant Mona @GMona48@SwishTheoryNBA Bans Ballmer + How Kawhi Fiasco Hurts Clippers Fans Most with Grant Mona – LAC’s Franchise Outlook after Trading for Darius Garland & Brandon Ingram, Why Frank & Redden Drafted Keaton WaglerTimeline:00:00 Introduction & Background02:00 Breaking down Los Angeles Clippers’ punishment from NBA08:00 Is this enough penalty to deter future violations?14:00 The Clippers’ new roster direction with Garland & Wagler22:00 Why the Clippers drafted Keaton Wagler #5 overall26:00 Why Ballmer’s Clippers did this to land Kawhi33:00 Wildest details from Kawhi/Balmer/NBA investigation38:00 What comes next for Kawhi, Clippers, Fans

Ep. 151 Learning Basketball with Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305How Giannis + Spoelstra is Miami Heat’s Cheat Code with Brady Hawk – Fit & Chemistry between Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, projecting Klay Thompson’s role, Heat’s Biggest X-FactorsTimestamps:0:00 — Introduction & Background3:00 — Instant Reaction to Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Miami Heat6:00 —  Giannis and Bam Adebayo Chemistry9:00 — Offensive Strategies – X’s & O’s12:00 — Player Roles and Expectations15:00 — Depth Concerns and Injury Implications18:00 — Expectations for upcoming 2026-27 Season30:00 — Analyzing Miami Heat’s Playoff Potential33:00 — How Giannis and Bam Define Heat’s Next Era36:00 — New-look Offense – Inverted Screening ? 39:00 — Nikola Jovic, X-Factor for Miami43:00 — Andrew Wiggins’s much-needed value for team49:00 — Predictions for Heat’s 2026-27 NBA Season@SwishTheory

Ep. 150 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 w/ Kris Smith @theblacktechie @SwishTheoryFuture of WNBA Analytics, A'ja Wilson/Angel Reese/Gabby Williams for DPOY + 2026 WNBA MVP Race with Kris Smith – Value of Data Literacy in Decision Making, Atlanta Dream Roster Construction StrategyTimeline:00:00 — Introduction & Background, Analytics Philosophy10:00 — Value of Data Literacy Sports Analytics & Decision Making21:00 — Atlanta Dream Roster Building Strategy around Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard35:00 — Atlanta Dream’s bench, depth for playoff run46:00 — Kris Smith’s data viz portfolio55:00 — Evaluating WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and MVP Candidates82:00 — Future of WNBA Analytics