Open Floor: Si's Nba Show

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina react to the opening weekend of the NBA Bubble with their boldest opinions and hottest takes. Before diving into the action, they discuss Jonathan Isaac, Meyers Leonard, Gregg Popovich and the other NBA figures who chose not to kneel during the national anthem demonstrations. Then, they hand out superlatives. Most impressive player? Most disappointing performance? Weakest link on a contender? Favorite quote? Coach who is getting canned? Team that's set to implode? And they reassess the tiers of contenders. How many teams showed they have championship potential? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina offer a detailed breakdown of the NBA bubble's opening night. They start by analyzing the pre-game social justice demonstrations during the National Anthem by players, coaches and referees. Was this a demonstration, a protest or a sanctioned protest? Then, they pivot to discussing LeBron James's epic opener: a game-winner, a big defensive stand and a moving tribute to Colin Kaepernick. They wrap up by discussing the Pelicans' weird treatment of Zion Williamson and Rudy Gobert's full-circle moment after being the "patient zero" of American sports Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Podding the Bubble is a three-part mini-series taking a deep dive look into the biosphere created by the NBA in Orlando. Part 3 puts the NBA's plan into the context of what other major sports leagues are doing, and of the pandemic at large as it stands today. And with the help of global health expert and noted bioethicist, Dr. Zeke Emanuel, we try to answer the question: Was all of this a good idea? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Podding the Bubble is a three-part mini-series taking a deep dive look into the biosphere created by the NBA in Orlando. Part 2 follows the lives of the NBA players inside the bubble who now face a unique challenge. How do they stave off restlessness and cabin fever for three months while living inside the bubble through the rest of the season and the playoffs? Not to mention, they still have to find a way to play their best basketball. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina welcome NBA fans to opening week of the bubble restart. They discuss how stars like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic looked in early scrimmage play, and break down the audio and visual components of the NBA's new made-for-TV courts. From there, they dive into Lou Williams' Magic City misadventure. Did he threaten the bubble? Should we be thanking our lucky stars for Jack Harlow? Do Williams and the Clippers owe their fans and colleagues an apology? Then, the Open Floor Globe weighs in with questions. How close in proximity are the MLS and NBA bubbles? Are there any titles from past NBA history that deserve asterisks? Who won the Jay-Z versus Nas beef?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Podding the Bubble is a three-part mini-series taking a deep dive look into the biosphere created by the NBA in Orlando. Part 1 explores how the NBA decided that a bubble was the right solution for them to be able to finish the 2019-2020 NBA season and conduct something resembling a normal playoffs and NBA finals. We'll also get into how the bubble is supposed to work on paper, both for players and basketball staff, as well as for Disney Parks employees, and for journalists. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina celebrate as the NBA's Disney bubble opened practice sessions to the media. What was the best thing LeBron James said? How did Giannis Antetokounmpo's shot look? Are the Bucks about to spoil all the narratives and run to a "boring" title just like the Spurs of yore? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. What do the new playing courts look like? Should we rename the "Mt. Rushmore of the NBA" conversation? Will players want to keep their social justice message jerseys after this season? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina get into the NBA bubble talk with a quick tour from Ben of the media's access area after he finally cleared his week-long quarantine. Which Disney World areas and amenities are available to media and which are off limits? Which NBA players and figures has he seen so far? Do the NBA's rules regarding media access make sense? From there, Ben and Michael dig into everyone's favorite bubble topic: the informant tip line. Which players are most likely to rat out violators? What kind of crazy informant conspiracies has Tinfoil Hat Pina come up? Is Michael actually a secret agent? What would it take for Ben to call the line?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open with the latest from the NBA bubble, where Ben has entered Day 5 of quarantine. How is Ben holding up? Is Michael starting to get worried? Are the NBA's safety protocols holding up as designed? From there, they shift gears to an extended conversation about playoff X-factors, discussing Mike Budenholzer, Kemba Walker, Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis and more. They close by launching Michael's new series of book recommendations, "The Pod Reads." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina detail the launch of the NBA's Orlando bubble, with Ben reporting live from Disney World as he begins his seven-day hotel room quarantine. They talk through a variety of topics: how to pack for a three-month trip, how to dress for a bubble playoffs, how media members are able to interact with each other, and how the NBA's extensive coronavirus testing raises ethical questions given the state of testing around the country. From there, Ben and Michael name their NBA bubble soulmates, select their favorite player social media accounts to follow, and ponder how Rudy Gobert will be treated by the broadcast media when games return. They close by taking reader questions about the use of the term "stud" and on Stephen Jackson's unfortunate turn.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina announce that Ben will enter the NBA's Orlando quarantine bubble this weekend. Michael offers his travel tips and the two discuss health, food, exercise, and other quality of life concerns as a marathon hotel stay awaits. They check in on why the MLS had to send two teams home from its bubble and answer questions from the Open Floor Globe about how the next three months might unfold. From there, they double back to answer queries about topics from previous episodes, including the value of ring-chasing and which common phrases should be removed from the NBA pundit lexicon in light of the social justice protests. They close by running through listener nominations for worst NBA moves of the past decade, including the Paul George trade, the Grievis Vasquez trade, the entire Timberwolves franchise history, and Nerlens Noel betting on himself. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Op

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina commemorate the tenth anniversary of LeBron James's "The Decision" television special by running through the 10 worst NBA decisions of the past decade. Before they dig into the list, Ben and Michael recall where they were when they found out James had picked the Heat in 2010, whether Miami's four-year run was a success or a disappointment (or both), and why "The Decision" left such a major mark on the league. Then, it's time to dig deep on blown draft picks (Anthony Bennett), terrible trades (Jayson Tatum), insane free agent contracts (Ian Mahinmi), and much more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina take stock of the NBA ramping up its return for the Orlando bubble. Top contenders like the Lakers, Clippers and Bucks met the media this week, seeking to pick up their title chases and push back against asterisk talk. Will the 2020 champs get an asterisk or a gold star? Is this, like Giannis Antetokounmpo said, the "toughest championship" of all time? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. Who is Steele Sidebottom and how will players be punished if they violate the terms of the bubble? How should we distinguish between the coronavirus and an injury? Did the pairing of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady in Toronto deserve more props? Why are the Jazz on opening night in Orlando? What should you do if a deer interrupts your free-throw shooting routine?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open by taking a long look back at Vince Carter's career after the 22-year vet announced his retirement? Where did he rank compared to his contemporaries? What were his best moments? How will he be remembered? Did he inspire love? Did he have both the greatest in-game dunk and Dunk Contest dunk of all time? Will he make the Hall of Fame? From there, Ben and Michael shift gears with a breakdown of the NBA's schedule for the Orlando restart. Which opening week games are the most tantalizing? Do Zion Williamson and the Pelicans have the inside track to the playoffs? Which first-round playoff matchups do the guys want to see? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina take stock of the NBA's return plan, which saw players report to their teams for coronavirus testing this week. Is the media to blame for reporting an individual player's positive tests? If now, how should the NBA be handling the testing results? Did Nikola Jokic's positive test reveal anything new about worst-case scenarios facing the league inside the bubble? Then Ben and Michael touch on the worsening state of the coronavirus in Florida and how fans should react to players who decide not to participate before taking questions from the Open Floor Globe. Which NBA awards and accomplishments should be named after famous players? Should it be the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP award and the Michael Jordan scoring title? To close, the guys debate the difference between a "star" and "superstar" and wonder whether there should be a new category that differentiates between a garden-variety superstar and the cream of the crop.  Learn more about your ad-choices at

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open by going back to review some of the NBA's minor transactions from February and March before the shutdown. Consider this "Who he play for?" Open Floor style. Who signed Reggie Jackson? Michael Kidd-Gilchrist? Joakim Noah? Jeff Green? Markieff Morris? They debate whether any of those moves will be viewed in a new light given the NBA's Orlando bubble plan and possible player withdrawals. From there, they pivot to questions from the Open Floor Globe. How concerned should the NBA be about Florida's spike in coronavirus cases? Does the NBA have enough schedule flexibility to handle a wider outbreak in Orlando or would a forfeit be in order? Would the NBA consider signing up its players for vaccine trials? Is it time to bust myths like "the team with the best player always wins the series"?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina dig into the NBA's health and safety protocol for the upcoming season at Disney World. Is this a good plan? How will games be played and which hotels will house the players? Will the players buy in? What are some of the quirks fans should watch for once play resumes? From there, Ben and Michael shift gears to take questions from the Open Floor Globe. What can the NBA do to increase its number of African-American owners? What happens in the empty arenas next year if NBA games can't be played with fans? Could the NBA players ever break off to form their own league? Should fans get to pick their audio broadcasts -- fake noise or real noise -- during the Orlando bubble? How can the broadcasts incorporate activist messages?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina react to the NBA players' various concerns about the Orlando return plan. What is Kyrie Irving's role in all of this? What did Damian Lillard tell Michael about his stance? Will basketball distract from the ongoing social justice protests? What would happen if the players collectively chose not to play? Have the health and safety questions been answered? Will the plan stay on track? From there, Ben and Michael shift gears to answer questions from the Open Floor Globe. Can the NBA incorporate fans into the visual and audio experiences? Which teams will be hurt the most by the long lay-off? Finally, who would be the worst person to present the Finals MVP trophy if Bill Russell can't make it to Orlando?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open by surveying the superstar landscape to detail how the NBA community is gearing up in the wake of George Floyd's death. LeBron James tackles voting rights, Michael Jordan donates $100 million, Kevin Durant calls for fair treatment of the police officers involved in Minneapolis, Giannis Antetokounmpo seeks to better Milwaukee, Russell Westbrook funds a documentary about Tulsa, and Stephen Curry protests and chants about President Trump. After digging into each of those topics, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe about their all-quarantine draft from last week. Which team did the Globe think won? Who had a better draft strategy? Could a Globe member field a better team? Why were Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart snubbed?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina dive headfirst into an impossible task: trying to predict the most unpredictable playoffs in NBA history. Will the NBA be able to keep its players safe and crown a champion? If so, who will win the title and Finals MVP? Will there actually be a play-in round? Will the extra eight regular season games influence the NBA award races? How will the neutral site impact the length of series? Will we see any noticeable differences from the referees? What aspect of the television product will Basketball Twitter whine about the most? How many owners will appear in the bubble? Should Michael Jordan make an appearance?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy