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

May 5, 2026 72 mins
In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we open up The Autopsy Report on three teams whose playoff exits raised more questions than answers — the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets. Each entered the postseason with expectations, but all three were unceremoniously bounced in the first round, forcing a hard look at roster construction, star leadership, coaching decisions, and long-term direction.
What went wrong ...
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This week, we put the spotlight on two Eastern Conference teams that fell short of expectations — the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls.

The Bucks’ season unraveled in the most unexpected ways. A struggling defense, inconsistent guard play, and lack of depth led to a disappointing finish outside the playoff picture. While there were flashes from emerging contributors, the overall roster construction raised serious questions about th...
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In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we dive into another edition of The Autopsy Report, breaking down the current state of the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets.

For Golden State, we examine what’s gone wrong — Is this the final run with Kerr, Draymond and Steph under "The Town" from roster construction and inconsistent production to the challenges of sustaining a championship core in today’s NBA

On the other side,...
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In this episode, we sit down with documentary filmmaker Sascha Gardner, one of the creative minds behind Netflix’s acclaimed Untold series. Known for uncovering the deeper stories behind some of sports’ most misunderstood moments, Gardner joins us to discuss his latest project, Untold: Jail Blazers.

We dive into the story of the early 2000s Portland Trail Blazers—an immensely talented team whose legacy became overshadowed by controv...
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The NBA Playoffs are here and The Baseline crew pulled up with a full 2026 Play-In + First Round preview — East and West.Cal Lee, Warren Shaw, and Jabari Davis break down every major matchup with a blend of X’s and O’s, culture talk, and that honest playoff energy:In this episode:
  • East Play-In & Seeding
    • Hornets vs Heat: Is Charlotte officially the team nobody wants to see?
    • Why Miami’s “we’ll figure it out in April” energy ...
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This week, The Autopsy Report continues as we break down the Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks—three teams at very different stages, but all facing critical organizational questions.We examine roster construction, front office vision, and whether each franchise has a clear identity or is still searching for direction.

From Brooklyn’s reset, to Utah’s asset-driven approach, to Dallas navigating a win-now window, we’re di...
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The season’s over… now it’s time to examine what went wrong.

In this debut installment of The Autopsy Report, we put the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Sacramento Kings on the table and break down the real causes behind their early playoff exits.From flawed roster construction and defensive breakdowns to front office direction and missed opportunities in free agency, nothing is off limits.

Which team is rebuilding the right ...
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In this special edition of FaceTime w/ The Baseline, we sit down with filmmakers Corey Colvin and Carlton Sabbs, the visionary directors behind the Prime Video documentary Meal Ticket. Hailing from Chicago, the duo brings a powerful blend of storytelling, culture, and lived experience to the screen. We dive into their creative journey, their transition into feature documentary filmmaking, and how their backgrounds in music, sports,...
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The NBA season has been a roller coaster — and it’s time for a reality check. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we revisit our preseason predictions and break down what we got right… and what we completely missed.

From rising stars to unexpected team success, we take an honest look at how the season has unfolded. We discuss why our tempered expectations for Amen Thompson proved accurate, how the San Antonio Spurs — led by...
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Not every non-playoff team is truly rebuilding — some are simply waiting for the right moment to break through. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we introduce “Proof of Life,” a deep-dive exercise where we identify one team from the Eastern Conference and one from the Western Conference that could rise from outside the playoff picture and reach the postseason next year.

We examine teams like the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn N...
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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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