Ep. 85 Learning Basketball with Leader Johnson @WriterLeader247

Leader Johnson is a Senior Writer and Analyst for NBA Draft Room, Villanova sports analyst for 247 Sports, Publisher and Podcaster for High Level Sports, Writer/Draft analyst for Draft Diamonds and Prep Hoops

Today we check in on hoops around Pennsylvania, from Dr. J to Villanova and the 76ers. How will next season look for Villanova’s new Head Coach Kevin Willard who recruited two NBA Draft Prospects in Acaden Lewis and Nico Onyekwere? Are the 76ers sleeper contenders when healthy and has Daryl Morey built the real Two Timelines Team? Who are some of the top young basketball prospects around the country to keep an eye on in future draft talks?

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction & Background, Scouting Philosophy

02:00 Evolution of Villanova Basketball Culture from Jay Wright to Kyle Neptune and now Kevin Willard from Maryland

08:00 Villanova Season Expectations and NBA Draft Prospects to Watch: Acaden Lewis + Nico Onyekwere with Eric Dixon now on Luka LeBron Lakers

26:00 Philadelphia 76ers Franchise Outlook, 2025 Offseason, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Johni Broome

42:00 Philadelphia 76ers, The Real Two Timelines Team

48:00 Rookie VJ Edgecombe's Potential

56:00 Future Top NBA Draft Prospects to keep on the Radar - Ryan Hampton, Marcus Spears Jr., Mikel Brown Jr., Brandon McCoy1:10:00 Importance of Confidence and Comfortability in NBA Draft Prospects

Villanova Hoops, Philadelphia 76ers Two Timelines Franchise Outlook, Future NBA Draft Prospects with Leader Johnson – Acaden Lewis, Nico Onyekwere, Kevin Willard, Dr. J, VJ Edgecombe, Scouting Process

Podcast LINKS

Learning Basketball - Apple Podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...⁠

Learning Basketball - Spotify Podcast

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2WPNyHW...⁠

Learning Basketball - YouTube Podcast ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNBCJ87gXz671ru-1b9s3U672nRO3k3nc⁠

Ep. 84 Learning Basketball with Grant Afseth @GrantAfseth
Grant Afseth is a Dallas-based reporter covering the NBA & WNBA locally with Dallas Hoops Journal, Roundtable Network and nationally for Ballislife, Newsweek, RG Media

Today we talk about the Dallas Mavericks Franchise Outlook, Dallas Wings Rebuild, Cooper Flagg, Paige Bueckers, Anthony Davis, and the general mix of hope and vibes among basketball fans in Dallas going from The Luka Trade to both their NBA & WNBA teams winning potential #1 pick superstars.

00:00 Introduction & Background, Sports Media Advice

02:00 2025 Eurobasket Standouts - Franz, Luka, Giannis, Sengun, Mikka, Markkanen

05:00 How are Fan Vibes in Dallas Since The Luka Trade?

08:00 Future of the Mavericks: Cooper Flagg

11:00 Dirk Nowitzki's Insights on Team Owners restoring team image

14:00 Dallas Mavericks Franchise Outlook & Season Expectations

42:00 Anthony Davis Navigating Injuries, MVP/DPOY Award Races

01:00:00 Paige Bueckers, Basketball Phenom, Dallas Wings Franchise Cornerstone

01:15:00 Did the Basketball Gods gift Dallas Basketball Fans two #1 Pick potential superstars in the summer immediately following the Luka trade?

The State of Dallas Basketball After Luka with Grant Afseth – Mavs & Wings Win #1 Picks Cooper Flagg & Paige Bueckers, AD for MVP/DPOY?, Front Office Expectations, 2025 Eurobasket, Sports Media Advice

Learning Basketball - Apple Podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...⁠

Learning Basketball - Spotify Podcast

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2WPNyHW...⁠

Learning Basketball - YouTube Podcast ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNBCJ87gXz671ru-1b9s3U672nRO3k3nc⁠

Ep. 83 Learning Basketball with Kris Amundson

Kris Amundson is a lawyer and the co-founder of Swish Theory who covers the Chicago Bulls.

Today we learn what went into creating the Swish Theory platform, the legal perspective and potential ramifications for Kawhi and The Clippers possibly circumventing the cap, the Chicago Bulls Franchise Outlook with Buzelis and Essengue and a new Josh Giddey contract, and The Most Confusing NBA Teams

Timeline:00:00 Introduction & Background2:00 The legal perspective & NBA consequences if the Clippers circumvented the cap to sign Kawhi

11:00 Creating Swish Theory with Larry

17:00 Chicago Bulls Franchise Outlook with Buzelis & Essengue

20:00 Josh Giddey Contract

30:00 Pat Will Island

40:00 Ayo Dosunmu: The Underrated Defender

45:00 The Most Confusing NBA Teams: Toronto, New Orleans, Memphis, Chicago, Milwaukee

Learning Basketball - Apple Podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...⁠

Learning Basketball - Spotify Podcast

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2WPNyHW...⁠

Learning Basketball - YouTube Podcast ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNBCJ87gXz671ru-1b9s3U672nRO3k3nc⁠

Ep. 82 with @GiftedHoops_ !

Gifted Hoops covers the NBA on Twitter, YouTube, and Playback, a Twitch-like streaming service for Sports

Today we draft the first official 2025-26 NBA Playback League Pass Rankings! Whichever teams we draft are the only teams we'd theoretically be allowed to watch all season - can we both survive?

Ranking all 30 teams in order of who we are choosing first to watch and stream on Playback if they’re playing on league pass any given night

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction & Background & Sports Media Advice
05:00 2025-26 NBA League Pass Rankings for Playback

Top-5 Picks:

1. Warriors
2. Spurs
3. Thunder
4. Nuggets
5. Rockets

18:00 Orlando Magic

21:00 Chicago Bulls!

24:00 Luka Lebron Lakers Star Power

27:00 Detroit Pistons - Cade Ivey Ausar Duren

30:00 Cleveland Cavaliers - Mobley Garland Mitchell
32:00 Minnesota Timberwolves - Ant Randle

33:00 Milwaukee Bucks - Giannis Turner

36:00 Los Angeles Clippers - Kawhi(?) Harden Zubac Beal CP3

48:00 Atlanta Hawks - Trae Kristaps

50:00 Memphis Grizzlies - Ja Jaren

53:00 New York Knicks - Brunson Kat Bridges Anunoby

55:00 Toronto Raptors

58:00 Indiana Pacers

01:01:00 Portland Trail Blazers

01:03:00 Philadelphia 76ers

01:05:00 New Orleans Pelicans

01:09:00 Dallas Mavericks

01:11:00 Washington Wizards:

01:15:00 Boston Celtics

01:16:00 Final 6 Picks:

Phoenix Suns

Charlotte Hornets

Brooklyn Nets

Sacramento Kings

Miami Heat

Utah Jazz

Whose lineup would you rather have?

RK -

SpursNuggetsMagicLakersCavaliersBucksHawksKnicksPacers76ersMavsCelticsHornetsKingsJazz

Gifted Hoops -

WarriorsThunder
Rockets
Bulls
Pistons

Timberwolves
Clippers
Grizzlies
Raptors
Blazers

Pelicans

Wizards
Suns
Nets
Heat

Ep. 80 Learning Basketball with Drew Munley! @Drew_Munley14

Drew Munley is an analytics basketball coach with the Syracuse Women's Basketball team and City Rocks EYBL team.

Today we learn about Syracuse Men's and Women's basketball, the role of analytics on the sideline, playcalling strategy, ball screen continuity offense, Carmelo and Kiyan Anthony, and the defensive versatility of Donnie Freeman & Sadiq White

Timeline:

0:00 Introduction & Background
2:00 Carmelo Anthony Syracuse Legacy
5:00 Kiyan Anthony Freshman Expectations
9:00 Syracuse Roster Depth & Dynamics - Donnie Freeman & Sadiq White Defensive Versatility

18:00 What the role of Syracuse WBB Analytics Coach looks like

22:00 Film Breakdown: City Rocks EYBL, Playcalling Strategy, Ball Screen Continuity Offense

33:00 Syracuse 2026 Recruitment - Jordan Smith Jr. & Deron Rippey Jr. on the radar

FULL PODCAST LINKS

Syracuse Basketball, Carmelo & Kiyan Anthony, Ball Screen Continuity Offense with Drew Munley – City Rocks EYBL, Playcalling Strategy, Donnie Freeman & Sadiq White Defensive Versatility, 2026 Recruits

Learning Basketball - Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Learning Basketball - Spotify Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/2WPNyHW...

Learning Basketball - YouTube Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNBCJ87gXz671ru-1b9s3U672nRO3k3nc

Ep. 79 Learning Basketball with Steven Bagell! @TheNBAgell

Steven Bagell is the SBC 2024 Director of Brand & Operations for⁠⁠@thecenterhub_bb⁠,⁠ a Certified NIL agent, and dual Podcast Host of the ⁠@birdrightspod ⁠& ⁠@one_and_donepod⁠ where he covers NBA Salary Cap rules and NCAA basketball.

Today we learn about the NIL Landscape, the opportunities for Certified NIL Agents, Top 2025-26 College Hoops Storylines, and break down the Orlando Magic Salary Cap 5-Year Outlook

Timeline:

0:00 Introduction & Background

2:00 Opportunities after becoming NIL certified + advice to those trying to break into basketball

13:00 Top 2025-26 NCAA Storylines

35:00 Orlando Magic 5-Year Salary Cap Outlook

Full Podcast LINKS:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2WPNyHW4I8wNgDFdsL6ZLf

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-basketball/id1775085550

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNBCJ87gXz671ru-1b9s3U672nRO3k3nc

Ep. 78 Learning Basketball with Joel Rush @JoelRushNBA

Joel Rush covers the Denver Nuggets and NBA for Forbes Sports.

Today we learn about the Denver Nuggets Reloaded Offseason shifting them back into clear contender status, the motivations behind trading Michael Porter Jr. and a future unprotected 1st for Cam Johnson, how the new free agent acquisitions Valanciunas Hardaway and Brown fit into the rotation, what to expect with David Adelman moving into the permanent Head Coaching title, and the Christmas Day matchup between the budding rivalry of Minnesota and Denver.

Timeline:
00:00 Denver Nuggets Reloaded - 2025 Offseason

05:00 Appreciating Michael Porter Jr.’s time with the Nuggets and Motivations behind Nuggets trade for Cam Johnson

09:00 Assessing New Roster and Team Depth

13:00 Malleability of Bruce Brown

19:00 Tim Hardaway Jr.’s ideal role

26:04 Coaching Changes from Michael Malone and Calvin Booth to new Head Coach David Adelman

39:00 Jonas Valanciunas declaring he will honor his contract and how his presence preserves team identity

44:00 Prospects Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson having opportunity to claim playing time while Denver adds experienced options just in case.

01:00:00 Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Christmas Day Matchup & Budding Rivalry

01:07:00 Projecting the Orlando Magic's success next season and beyond

01:25:00 Nuggets' Depth and Championship Aspirations

Full Podcast LINKS:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2WPNyHW4I8wNgDFdsL6ZLf

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-basketball/id1775085550

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNBCJ87gXz671ru-1b9s3U672nRO3k3nc