Category: QA Category

Podcast: Magic’s Jamahl Mosley on Paolo Banchero, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki, more

Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kyrie Irving, Dirk Nowitzki, Luka Doncic stories and more on Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Markelle Fultz

Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley discusses stories behind the scenes coaching Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kyrie Irving, Dirk Nowitzki, Luka Doncic, and Jalen Brunson. Mosley also discussed what’s next for Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Markelle Fultz, and more with host Michael Scotto on the latest HoopsHype podcast episode. 

For more interviews with players, coaches, and media members, be sure to like and subscribe to the HoopsHype podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Listen to the podcast above or check out some snippets of the conversation in a transcribed version below.

Q&A: Baron Davis on untold 1999 NBA draft stories, Hornets, LaMelo Ball, Warriors, players going broke

Baron Davis shares 1999 NBA Draft stories, thoughts on LaMelo Ball’s future, Warriors bus rides, how NBA players mismanage money, and more.

After spending 13 years in the NBA handing out assists to teammates, two-time All-Star guard Baron Davis is dishing advice to students and young entrepreneurs on investing and financial literacy, along with some fun stories behind the scenes from his career.

In an interview with HoopsHype, Davis discussed untold behind-the-scenes stories from the 1999 NBA draft, a private conversation with the late Paul Silas, his thoughts on LaMelo Ball’s future, bus and plane rides with the Warriors, his successes, failures, and lessons learned as an investor and entrepreneur, how NBA players mismanage their money, educating students on financial literacy with WealthFlix, and more.

Exclusive: Damian Lillard on Portland’s NBA Draft, Blazers decisions, his legacy, retirement

Damian Lillard discussed Portland’s upcoming NBA Draft, his Blazers legacy, retirement plans, and more with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Portland Trail Blazers seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard recently spoke with HoopsHype about Portland’s options with the No. 3 pick, his input in front office decision-making with the Blazers, the importance of a championship for his legacy, how long he wants to continue playing, and his upcoming Modelo Summer Buckets Sweepstakes partnership.

Draft prospect Maxwell Lewis: ‘In a couple of years from now, I’d like a Paul George role’

Maxwell Lewis discussed the adversity he overcame to play in college, NBA player comparisons, a scouting report of his game and career goals

Maxwell Lewis is considered one of the top wing prospects in the NBA Draft and is projected 25th overall in the latest HoopsHype aggregate mock draft poll.

The 6-foot-7 forward told HoopsHype he’s worked out for the Mavericks, Thunder, Pelicans, Lakers, Rockets, Hawks, and Grizzlies, plus upcoming workouts with the Jazz, Blazers, and Kings, which could boost his stock with the draft nearing.

Lewis spoke with HoopsHype about growing up learning amateur boxing and playing the saxophone, the adversity he overcame to land at Pepperdine with coach Lorenzo Romar, NBA player comparisons, a scouting report of his game, and his career goals.

Exclusive: Lauri Markkanen on Most Improved Player of the Year award, tanking, Utah Jazz future

Exclusive: Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen discussed his NBA journey to become an All-Star and Most Improved Player of the Year award candidate, defying tanking expectations, Utah’s future, and more with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Following his first All-Star appearance, Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is a strong candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year award.

Markkanen became the first NBA player to record over 100 dunks and 200 threes (most by a 7-footer) in a season. He’s the only player this season averaging over 25 points on 50 percent from the field and over 39 percent from beyond the arc.

He’s also one of only five qualified players (Joel Embiid, Damian Lillard, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant) this year, averaging 25-plus points with a true shooting percentage of 64 percent or better.

With the end of the regular season nearing, Markkanen spoke with HoopsHype during a sitdown interview to discuss his career journey through Chicago and Cleveland to get to this point, his relationship with Will Hardy, how Utah has defied tanking expectations, his long-term future with the Jazz, the Finland national team, and more.

Jose Alvarado on his steal: ‘They’ll say that kid Grand Theft Alvarado did something different’

Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado discussed how he developed his signature steal and toughest part of his journey with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto

Before Jose Alvarado became known as “Grand Theft Alvarado” in the NBA for his signature steal, he was a high school star at Christ the King.

After Alvarado earned Rising Stars MVP honors at All-Star Weekend, Christ the King retired his jersey while the Pelicans guard was in town. To bring all the recent events full circle, Alvarado played against the Knicks – the team he watched growing up – at Madison Square Garden the next day in front of his family and friends.

Before facing the Knicks at MSG, Alvarado discussed how he developed his signature steal, what he thinks of younger players mimicking his trademark move, the toughest parts of his journey, and more with HoopsHype.

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Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard: “I like to compare my game to Jrue Holiday”

Pacers rookie Andrew Nembhard explains why he’s a draft-night steal, compared to Jrue Holiday, and more with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard ranks second among all rookies in assists (4.2) and demonstrated his playmaking skills with a fancy behind-the-back pass during the Rising Stars Game.

Throughout the season, Nembhard has earned the trust of Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who praised him as a draft-night steal earlier this season. “I’ve been saying when HoopsHype does their redraft of the 2022 class, he’ll be a Top 15 pick,” Carlisle said. “I’m elevating that to Top 10. He really is a special player.”

After playing in the Rising Stars Game and attending a Panini America trading cards event at the Panini Prizm Lounge in Salt Lake City during NBA All-Star Weekend, Nembhard spoke with HoopsHype about his rookie season, the Pacers defying taking odds, the future of the Pacers and Canadian basketball, and more.

Jalen Williams: “We want to shock people. A lot of people had us written off this year and tanking”

Thunder rookie Jalen Williams explains how OKC’s defied tanking expectations, Sam Presti’s vision, and more with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

When the Thunder lost prized No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren for the season, many expected Oklahoma City to finish at the bottom of the standings and enter the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.

Thunder players never got that memo and have been one of the pleasant surprises in the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become one of the top guards in the NBA, Josh Giddey has taken a step forward in his second season shooting the ball, and rookie Jalen Williams has made an immediate impact to help the team defy expectations.

Williams was named Rookie of the Month for games played in October and November. He leads rookies in steals (1.2) and ranks fourth in points (12.2) and assists (2.9) heading into All-Star weekend, where he was selected for the Rising Stars Game.

Before heading to Utah for the Rising Stars Game, Williams spoke with HoopsHype about his rapid rise from a relatively unknown prospect to a lottery pick, including a hilarious Mark Daigneault pre-draft workout story. Plus, how the Thunder have defied tanking expectations, Sam Presti’s long-term vision for the team, and more.

Q&A: Bulls center Nikola Vucevic on free agency, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, more

Bulls center Nikola Vucevic discussed his free agency future and trio with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

After making the playoffs last year for the first time since 2017, the Chicago Bulls are in danger of another lottery finish with several looming questions.

Chicago has been without starting point guard Lonzo Ball since Jan. 14, 2022. Will he ever return to form? Zach LaVine struggled through November, and his name surfaced in several trade rumors. Can he be a core piece for Chicago if the Bulls want to contend for a title? DeMar DeRozan has remained consistent but turns 34 this summer. Are the Bulls better off trading him this summer while his value is high? Nikola Vucevic has improved his offensive efficiency this season but will become one of the top unrestricted free agents on the market this summer, as noted in our HoopsHype rankings. Will he be re-signed?

Vucevic discussed his upcoming free agency, what’s different about the DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Vucevic trio this season, his future goals, the trade deadline, and more with HoopsHype during a recent postgame interview at Barclays Center.

Q&A: Lakers guard Austin Reaves on NBA free agency, LeBron James, Alex Caruso comparisons, more

Lakers guard Austin Reaves discussed his free agency, lessons from LeBron James, and Alex Caruso comparisons with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto

After going undrafted in 2021, Austin Reaves agreed to a two-way contract on draft night with the Lakers, played well enough to be converted to a standard NBA contract after training camp, and has since earned a larger role this season to position himself for a pay raise in free agency this summer.

In his first 29 games before suffering a right ankle sprain, Reaves averaged 10.8 points on 52.1 percent shooting from the field and 39.1 percent from downtown. Shortly after, Reaves suffered a strained hamstring and has been out of the lineup since Jan. 4.

With the Lakers in town for a back-to-back set with the Nets and Knicks, Reaves discussed lessons he learned from LeBron James, Alex Caruso comparisons, his upcoming free agency, and more with HoopsHype.