Yahoo Sports NBA: Ball Don't Lie

Vincent Goodwill is joined by Jason Goff from NBC Sports Chicago to discuss Joel Embiid’s return to the 76ers, the playoff outlooks for the Mavericks & Clippers, and a deep-dive on the Chicago Bulls.

00:00 - Introduction

03:20 - Joel Embiid set to return

10:20 - Are the Mavericks party-crashers in the playoffs?

12:30 - How far can the Clippers go?

21:35 - The conversation around women’s basketball

31:00 - The past, present & future of the Chicago Bulls

On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Jason Goff from NBC Sports Chicago and The Ringer (check out his podcast, The Full Go) to go deep on the Chicago Bulls, but first…

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will reportedly return to action this week, maybe even Tuesday, from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Vinnie and Jason compare the situation to Derrick Rose’s knee injuries before wondering if this is the year Embiid finally gets over his playoff struggles.

Vinnie asks the question, after watching the Dallas Mavericks destroy the Houston Rockets on Sunday, if the Mavericks are party-crashers in the playoffs that could pull off an upset (or two). Since they are currently lined up to go against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, the guys talk about how those two teams stack up and why the Clippers are built in a way that could equal a run to the Finals.

Vince and Jason discuss women’s basketball, which is having a moment with a tournament absolutely filled with star players, and why fans of the sport should be wary of getting more attention from the national sports media.

Finally, the guys talk about the Chicago Bulls. They go all the way back to the Michael Jordan-led Bulls dynasty, The Last Dance, defending Jerry Krause, why the Derrick Rose-Jimmy Butler pairing didn’t last, the mistakes the team has made with coaching and development, the future of Zach LaVine, the ascension of Coby White and a lot more.

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Jake Fischer and Dan Devine discuss the Warriors overcoming Draymond Green’s ejection, the timetable on Joel Embiid’s return from knee surgery, the Timberwolves’ sale blowing up and much more.

00:00 - Hello friends!

03:25 - Clippers defeat 76ers

08:35 - Joel Embiid update

11:25 - Los Angeles Clippers

13:40 - Steph Curry frustrated with Draymond Green

19:50 - Houston Rockets

29:15 - Inside the end of G League Ignite

44:05 - Timberwolves sale blows up

On this episode of No Cap Room, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer and Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine discuss everything that is going on in the league this week.

The guys start in Philadelphia, where Kawhi Leonard showed just how great he still can be and the refs admitted that they made a mistake at the end of the game that maybe cost the 76ers the game. Jake says Joel Embiid will be back soon, and almost returned for last night’s game.

Draymond Green was ejected in the first few minutes of the Warriors’ win over the Orlando Magic, and Steph Curry was visibly frustrated with his teammate during the game and after. 

The Warriors need to keep winning, because the Houston Rockets and their 10-game winning streak are right on their heels and trying to steal the #10 seed in the West. Jake and Dan discuss what has gotten into the Houston Rockets’ offense as of late and what decisions the franchise will be faced with this offseason.

The NBA announced last week that the G League Ignite would be shuttered following this season. Jake talked to all the players involved and explains what went wrong with the Ignite and why the decision by the league still caught employees of the team off-guard.

Finally, the guys get some breaking news during the podcast! The Minnesota Timberwolves, who were being sold over the course of multiple payments, are apparently not for sale anymore after the buyers missed an important deadline. What does it mean for the team? What does it mean for the league? Who is going to pay their luxury tax bill?

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Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Tom Haberstroh to talk about the NBA’s gambling problem, the Lakers beating the Bucks without LeBron James, all of the playoff races still yet to be determined and a lot more.

00:00 - Introduction

00:50 - Jontay Porter & the NBA’s gambling problem

08:20 - Lakers beat the Bucks in double-overtime

18:50 - Breaking down the NBA playoff races

30:45 - Top 5 NBA playoff upsets

On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill podcast, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Tom Haberstroh to discuss all things NBA.

The guys start off with the story about Jontay Porter, a bench player for the Toronto Raptors who is under investigation for large bets that seemed to coincide with some weird performances from him in games this season. The guys talk about who is in charge of keeping this from happening and what changes could be made to prevent it from spinning out of control.

The Lakers, without LeBron James, beat the Milwaukee Bucks in double-overtime last night. That leads to two questions. First, are the Lakers set up to knock off a #1 seed in the first round of the NBA Playoffs (as long as it’s not the Nuggets)? Second, are we sure the Bucks are good enough to survive the first round of the NBA Playoffs?

The guys go through every playoff race that is yet to be determined, with only three weeks left in the regular season, and fire off a few hot takes on who they think won’t make it (Suns) and who they think will (Warriors).

Finally, Producer John asks Vinnie and Tom to list off their top 5 favorite NBA playoff upsets of all time and the guys end up fighting about it.

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Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine is joined by Jared Dubin from CBS Sports and Last Night in Basketball to say some nice things about the Rockets, Magic, Suns, Tom Thibodeau, Nets, Bulls and Hawks.

00:00 - Count me in!

03:25 - Josh Hart

04:40 - Say something nice about…

05:25 - Houston Rockets

15:55 - Orlando Magic

24:35 - Phoenix Suns

32:00 - Tom Thibodeau

37:35 - Brooklyn Nets

41:10 - Chicago Bulls & Atlanta Hawks

44:40 - The Closing Five

57:35 - Weekly recommendations 

On this episode of Devine Intervention, Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine is joined by Jared Dubin from CBS Sports and Last Night in Basketball to say some nice things about some of the less talked about teams around the NBA, but first…

Jared says that Josh Hart, a literal quote machine, brings him basketball joy. Not only has Hart turned himself into a really valuable player for the Knicks, his charm and personality are impossible to miss.

Getting into the heart of the episode, Jared says some nice things about Amen Thompson and the Houston Rockets before Dan turns the conversation to Jalen Green, who is either taking advantage of March basketball or finding his ceiling. 

The Orlando Magic play a different brand of basketball, and Jamahl Mosley probably deserves to win Coach of the Year, and they’re going to be hell for any team that has to play them in a playoff series.

The Phoenix Suns are down after losing to the Spurs, without Victor Wembanyama, last night. The guys offer some positive affirmations about what this team can do when their stars are healthy…but can they stay healthy?

The guys also talk about Tom Thibodeau’s flexibility being a big part of the Knicks’ success this season, the Bulls finding something in a couple of young players, and the Hawks maybe finding themselves without Trae Young.

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Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Law Murray from The Athletic to talk about the G League Ignite shutting down, the perilous position of the Golden State Warriors, Doc Rivers’ reputation and the Los Angeles Clippers.

00:00 - Introduction

01:25 - G League Ignite to shut down

06:55 - Are the Warriors even good?

10:35 - Here come the Bucks!

14:10 - Why are we doubting the Celtics?

19:00 - What is wrong with the Los Angeles Clippers?

41:10 - Paul George’s future in L.A.

On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by The Athletic’s Los Angeles Clippers beat reporter, Law Murray, to go deep on a team that has been a rollercoaster ride this season, but first…

The NBA announced that the G League Ignite will shut down after this season. Vinnie appreciates that college basketball will remain as the main feeder system of talent into the NBA, while Law blames the end of the franchise on poor performance on the court.

The Golden State Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves last night and are at risk of losing the final play-in spot to the Houston Rockets. Law, who has seen the Warriors in-person a few times this year, says that the team simply isn’t good and can’t be trusted with a lead.

The Milwaukee Bucks, meanwhile, stomped on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. Is it a sign that the Bucks and Doc Rivers are finally reaching their potential? Or do the Thunder have some larger issues that could rear their head in the playoffs?

We finally get to the LA Clippers, who looked like one of the league’s best teams in December and January but can’t seem to get out of their own way lately. Law explains what the ride has been like, what is causing it, why Russell Westbrook’s return from injury is unfair, and what Paul George could be looking at in free agency this offseason.

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Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer and Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine talk about the Cavaliers’ injury luck, the NBA’s relationship with sports gambling, Dante Exum’s journey back from Serbia and more.

00:00 - Hello friends!

00:50 - Happy birthday to us!

05:25 - Donovan Mitchell & Cavs injuries

11:50 - Pistons injuries

15:05 - The NBA & sports gambling

28:50 - Dante Exum

41:05 - What’s interesting about the NBA’s worst teams?

41:15 - Charlotte Hornets

47:25 - Detroit Pistons

53:20 - Washington Wizards

58:15 - Portland Trail Blazers

62:20 - San Antonio Spurs

On this episode of No Cap Room, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer and Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine ignore college hoops and focus on what’s going on in the NBA.

They start with some injury news, including Donovan Mitchell’s “nasal fracture”, the overall injury luck of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and a couple of young players in Detroit that were showing actual signs of improvement.

The NBA announced yesterday that they would be adding live-betting features into the NBA League Pass app, on the same day that there was a betting scandal with MLB’s most popular player, and everyone feels a little grossed out by it. 

Jake recently wrote about Dante Exum, the former #5 overall pick who was chased out of the NBA and had to find his game in Spain in Serbia before signing with the Dallas Mavericks this year. He has been vital for them, and their playoff chances, and it’s mostly due to an improved jumpshot that….didn’t change at all? It’s a wonderful and heartwarming story that we’re happy to spotlight!

Jake and Dan finish the episode by going through the five worst teams in the league and trying to find something optimistic, hopeful or just interesting about each one of them. The Hornets seem to have good pieces to build around, the Pistons have a couple of young players that are turning out better than anticipated, Deni Avdija has found a little bit of offense, DeAndre Ayton has found a comfortable mattress to sleep on and the Spurs have the greatest prospect we’ve ever seen to build upon. There’s a lot to be positive about!

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Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Howard Beck from The Ringer to talk about the new All-NBA voting system, Jokic’s legacy (when he wins MVP #3), Wembanyama’s future with the Spurs and which playoff teams they’re worried about.

00:00 - Introduction

01:50 - Positionless All-NBA and All-Defense

07:20 - Nikola Jokic’s MVP candidacy and legacy

19:10 - The red hot New Orleans Pelicans

24:25 - The New York Knicks face another injury

31:20 - Victor Wembanyama’s future with the Spurs

40:55 - Why is the Western Conference better than the Eastern Conference?

48:15 - NBA teams we’re worried about

49:30 - Phoenix Suns

55:10 - Los Angeles Clippers

On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Howard Beck from The Ringer and they kick things off by complaining about the new voting parameters for All-NBA.

After talking about Nikola Jokic being the favorite for NBA MVP this season, Vinnie and Howard try to figure out what his legacy will look like by the time his career is over.

The New Orleans Pelicans are playing great basketball and Zion Williamson looks fantastic, leading Howard to declare that we need to start talking about them as a more serious championship contender than the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.

The New York Knicks had OG Anunoby back for a short time before he was once again ruled out indefinitely with an elbow injury. What kind of playoff hopes do they have, as injured as they are?

Victor Wembanyama’s brilliant rookie season is coming to a close, and everyone wants to know what kind of improvements the Spurs will make in the offseason and how soon can we see Wemby in the NBA Playoffs?

After a brief discussion about why the Western Conference is more talented and competitive than the Eastern Conference, Vinnie and Howard reveal the playoff teams that they are worrying about the most heading into the stretch run. And, coincidentally, they picked the same teams!

The Phoenix Suns look like they just don’t have enough to meet their lofty expectations and the Los Angeles Clippers appear to have lost a lot with the injury to Russell Westbrook. Can either team turn things around before the playoffs begin?

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Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine is joined by Greg Wissinger from The Kings Herald to discuss the Sacramento Kings, who could be finding a new identity in the middle of a playoff race.

00:00 - Count me in!

03:05 - NBA Joy: Bench shenanigans!

05:30 - Sacramento Kings

16:30 - Domantas Sabonis

24:05 - Keegan Murray

27:55 - Keon Ellis

35:00 - Malik Monk

38:00 - Who do the Kings want to face in the NBA Playoffs?

40:45 - The Closing Five

48:50 - Weekly recommendations

On this episode of Devine Intervention, Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine is joined by Greg Wissinger from The Kings Herald to discuss the Sacramento Kings, who could be finding a new identity in the middle of a playoff race.

But first, when asked what is bringing him joy in the NBA, Greg takes some time to talk about shenanigans on the bench during NBA games.

Dan and Greg then go deep on the Sacramento Kings, including the national media narrative around Domantas Sabonis, the incredible value of Keon Ellis, the improving defense of Keegan Murray, and the contagious swagger of Malik Monk. After being the team that everyone wanted to play in the playoffs last year, who would they like to face this year?

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Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill talks about Kyrie Irving’s game-winner against the Nuggets, the playoff paths of the Lakers & Warriors, and explains why he has a problem with All-NBA this year.

00:00 - Introduction

00:55 - Kyrie Irving’s game-winner against the Nuggets

13:00 - The playoff paths of the Lakers & Warriors

22:35 - The problem with positionless All-NBA

40:20 - NBA Viewing Guide

On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is a little frustrated after watching how the Detroit Pistons lost to the Miami Heat and Producer John is over the moon after watching Kyrie Irving’s incredible game-winning shot to give the Dallas Mavericks a win over the Denver Nuggets.

Vinnie and John talk for a few minutes about what led to Irving’s game-winner, thoughts on it from around the NBA, and who the Dallas Mavericks would like to be matched up against in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Speaking of the playoffs, Vinnie is wondering if everyone is paying attention to the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. Sure, they play each other well, but these teams are at the bottom of the Western Conference for a reason and have a nearly impossible path to get back to the NBA Finals or even Western Conference Finals.

The rules for All-NBA voting are changing this year, as are the rules for All-Defense voting, and Vinnie is angry about it. He explains why he thinks the NBA has made the switch and why he thinks it’s a mistake before wondering if the league is going to take his vote away for complaining.

Finally, Vince and John tell you which games they have circled on the calendar this week. For John, it’s the Timberwolves (without KAT) trying to repeat some past success against the Nuggets. For Vinnie, he wants to see the final regular season game between the Bucks and Celtics, a potential Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

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Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer and Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine talk about the streaky Dallas Mavericks, a new foundational player for the Atlanta Hawks and check in on the Most Improved Player race.

00:00 - Hello friends!

02:20 - Donovan Mitchell returns vs. Pelicans

04:15 - Magic give Mosley 4-year extension

07:50 - Otto Porter Jr. retires

11:10 - VIBE CHECK: Dallas Mavericks

28:50 - Most Improved Player candidates

32:55 - Tyrese Maxey

36:00 - Coby White

44:00 - Herb Jones

44:25 - Jalen Suggs

44:45 - Duncan Robinson

48:00 - Donte DiVincenzo

49:20 - Deni Avdija

49:35 - Jalen Johnson & the Atlanta Hawks

On this episode of No Cap Room, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer and Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine kick things off by talking about the Cleveland Cavaliers, who got Donovan Mitchell back last night and proceeded to beat up on a good New Orleans Pelicans team. Are the Cavs quietly the 2nd best team in the East?

The guys give a quick shoutout to Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley, who recently got a 4-year extension after turning this young roster into a fantastic defensive team. Dan argues that this is the most successful Magic season since Dwight Howard was on the roster, while Jake wonders if Mosley could win Coach of the Year this season.

After another shoutout to Otto Porter Jr., who retired after 11 NBA seasons, Jake and Dan do a vibe check for the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have been streaky lately, winning a bunch, and then losing a bunch, and now riding another 4-game winning streak. Dan explains that the key to their success is the defense, which might be turning a corner. Jake points out that Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington seem to finally be finding their roles in this Dallas offense, which could end up helping the defense.

With just a few more weeks left in the NBA regular season, the guys decided to check in on the Most Improved Player race, which is probably locked up for Tyrese Maxey. Dan admits to who he has voted for in the past, Jake roasts him for it while explaining his own philosophy for who should win MIP, and then they throw out some names of guys that could theoretically challenge Maxey for the away this year.

One of those names is Jalen Johnson, who has made such a leap this season for the Atlanta Hawks that they might just trade away Trae Young and rebuild the team around Johnson. Jake talked with Johnson, and some of his struggles to escape pre-draft rumors, and came away very impressed by the kid’s mentality and work ethic. Will we see him in the play-in game? And could his improvement lead to a shift in the Eastern Conference?

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