The Baseline NBA Podcast

The Baseline NBA Podcast

The Baseline NBA Podcast is your definitive NBA podcast for up-to-the-minute basketball analysis, NBA news, and heated player debates with hosts Warren Shaw & Cal Lee. Each week we break down the biggest league trends, playoff implications, trade talk, and locker-room buzz that every hoops fan is talking about. If you live and breathe NBA news, want sharp basketball analysis without the fluff, and crave real debate about the league’s top players and teams, this is your show. Whether we’re previewing tonight’s marquee matchup, unpacking the latest MVP race, or hosting guests from the world of basketball culture, we bring you expert perspective and compelling conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. Tune in for sharp breakdowns, essential context on league trends, and player debates that will fuel your day. Subscribe now to the Baseline NBA Podcast — the go-to NBA podcast for basketball analysis, insider insight, and everything hoops. #NBA #Basketball #NBAPodcast #BasketballTalk #NBAAnalysis #NBAShow Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-baseline-nba-podcast--3677698/support.

Episodes

March 3, 2026 59 mins
In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we re-evaluate and re-draft the 2018 NBA Draft class featuring Luka Dončić, Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, and DeAndre Ayton. With multiple All-NBA players, franchise cornerstones, and late-pick steals emerging from this class, we break down the biggest hits, the most surprising misses, and how the draft order should look today. Was DeAndre Ayton the right No. 1 over...
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The NBA playoff push is here, and the spotlight is on the players who can change everything.

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the stretch-run impact of Jalen Green (Phoenix Suns), Tyler Herro (Miami Heat), Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets), and Benedict Mathurin (LA Clippers).

- Which of these rising stars has the power to elevate their team’s playoff positioning? 
- Who must step up offensively, defensively...
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The NBA is at a turning point — and Commissioner Adam Silver knows it.

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down Adam Silver’s latest press conference and what it means for the future of the NBA, including the league’s growing tanking problem, potential draft reform, expansion plans, and global growth.

Silver addressed the NBA tanking crisis directly, acknowledging the draft lottery system may not be working and sign...
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February 10, 2026 54 mins
Buzz City is alive. The Charlotte Hornets have ripped off their first nine-game winning streak since 1999 and now sit just one win away from tying the franchise record set in 1997-98. In just three weeks, they’ve gone from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to the 10th seed at 25-28 — completely flipping their season. So what changed? We break down the Hornets’ stunning surge, powered by a true “committee” approach:
  • Brandon Mi...
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Our man Kwab from the 'The Dime featuring Josh & Kwab' joins the show as we break down Jason Kidd’s recent clap back, the looming Giannis factor, and why much of the league feels frozen waiting for that pin to drop. We dive into the latest NBA Trade Deadline moves involving the Cavs, Kings, Bulls, Hawks, and Blazers, then close by debating two teams we still struggle to trust—the Sixers and Clippers—and whether their recent run...
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This week’s episode is a must-listen as our brother from another mother Jabari Davis joins the show as guest co-host, and we waste no time diving into everything happening around the NBA. We kick things off with our thoughts on NBA Rivals Week, asking the big question: Was it a Heated Rivalry… or just Lukewarm Competition? Did the matchups deliver real intensity, or was the hype louder than the product? From there, we break down th...
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On this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we reflect on the 40-year legacy of MLK Day in the NBA, inspired by Dominique Wilkins’ powerful memories of playing in the very first MLK Day games in Atlanta. More than a date on the schedule, MLK Day represents responsibility, sacrifice, and the platform the league continues to stand on today.

We then shift to the court with MLK Day game previews, breaking down Bucks vs. Hawks, Thunder ...
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This week on the show, we break down a whirlwind of NBA news, rumors, and franchise-shaping decisions that could redefine the league landscape. We start with the blockbuster scenario of Trae Young being traded to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, and what that move would signal for both franchises moving forward.

We also dive into reports that the Memphis Grizzlies are entertaining offers for Ja Morant, discu...
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This week on The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the highs and lows shaping the NBA right now — from major injuries impacting contenders to historic performances that continue to redefine greatness.

First , as injuries take center stage around the league. Jalen Suggs suffers a Grade 1 MCL contusion and is out indefinitely, while Jonas Valančiūnas is sidelined with a right calf strain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Combi...
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The new year brings new priorities across the NBA, and we kick things off by laying out our 2025 NBA New Year’s Resolutions — bold calls on teams and stars at pivotal crossroads, from roster resets and superstar futures to the mindset shifts we want to see from the league’s top talent.

Then, ESPN NBA analyst Kevin Pelton joins the show for an in-depth breakdown of the NBA’s renewed anti-tanking push in the wake of recent gambling in...
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🎙️ Former NBA Vet Anthony Marrow Joins The Baseline NBA Podcast 🏀

This week on The Baseline NBA Podcast, we’re bringing in a special guest with real league experience — Anthony Marrow, a 10-year NBA veteran and co-host of the Charlotte On The Scene Podcast. Anthony jumps on the mic to give fans an inside-the-league perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.

We kick things off with our NBA Christmas Day Pick’em, breaking down marquee...
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This week, we preview the Emirates NBA Cup matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, breaking down key matchups, X-factors, and what’s at stake as both teams look to make a statement.

Then we nerd out on “Did You Know?” NBA stats, highlighting some of the most uncanny, unexpected, and eye-opening numbers from around the league this season. 

From surprising efficiency to bizarre trends, it’s a fun mix of hoops analysi...
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The Baseline is in full effect, breaking down two of the league’s marquee franchises and their surprising starts: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Cal Lee and Warren Shaw open the show by talking about how the NBA’s new media landscape feels more like podcasting than traditional TV – then lock in on the hoop. From there, they unpack why the Lakers sit near the top of the West, how Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin ...
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In this week’s episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we welcome Paul Landono, Associate Producer of Drink Champs Sports, to break down the Miami Heat’s surprising early-season success.

We dive into what’s driving Miami’s hot start, whether their formula is sustainable, and how the team continues to evolve behind the pillars of Heat Culture. Landono gives his insight on Bam Adebayo’s two-way leap, Tyler Herro’s expanded role, and Jimm...
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The NBA never sleeps — and this week on The Baseline, we’re diving into everything from on-court tension to early-season truth serum. Cal, Warren, and special guest Jabari Davis break down the escalating verbal battle between Ja Morant and Klay Thompson, what it really says about respect, reputation, and the culture within today’s NBA, and why this moment hits deeper than typical trash talk.

Then we bring back one of our most popula...
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In this week’s episode, we dive into the Western Conference’s most troubled teams — four franchises that are far off the pace in the 2025–26 NBA season: New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, LA Clippers, and Dallas Mavericks.

New Orleans Pelicans  has stumbled out of the gate with a 2–10 start, the worst record in the West so far. Their offense ranks near the bottom of the league at just 108.8 points per game, while their defense ...
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Join us for a special edition of FaceTime with The Baseline featuring best-selling author and cultural commentator Shea Serrano. Hosted by co-host Warren Shaw, this episode dives into Serrano’s latest book, Expensive Basketball, a captivating exploration of basketball’s unquantifiable magic beyond the box-score. Shea opens up about his journey — from middle-school science teacher to four-time New York Times bestseller author (inclu...
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In this week’s episode of The Baseline, we hit the court running with News and Notes, as Trae Young goes down with a sprained MCL expected to sideline him for four weeks and Ja Morant headlines a dramatic start to the 2025-26 NBA season.

Then, in our featured segment “Impress Me,” we spotlight the teams and players making noise early — the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, and San Antonio Spurs have each turned heads with strong st...
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We break down the shocking details behind the FBI’s Operation Nothing But Bet and Operation Royal Flush, a gambling scandal shaking the NBA to its core.

With over 30 arrests tied to organized crime, insider betting, and underground poker rings involving figures like Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones, this case has rewritten the conversation around integrity in professional basketball.

Then, in our “Do It or Don’t” seg...
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It’s award season on The Baseline Podcast! Cal, Shaw, and special guest Jabari Davis break down their 2025-26 NBA Award predictions — from Rookie of the Year to MVP — and debut a few exclusive Baseline Awards you won’t hear anywhere else. 🏆 Official NBA Award Picks:
  • Rookie of the Year: Cal – Cooper Flagg | Shaw – Ace Bailey | Jabari – Cooper Flagg
  • Most Improved Player: Cal – Amen Thompson | Shaw – Matas Buzelis | Jabari – Amen T...
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