Open Floor: Si's Nba Show

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina dive into another batch of questions from the Open Floor Globe, starting with an incredible "What if?" involving the Houston Rockets and a possible 1984 trade that could have landed Clyde Drexler and Michael Jordan alongside Hakeem Olajuwon. Would that Big 3 have worked? How many titles would Jordan and Olajuwon have won as teammates? From there, Ben and Michael discuss re-watching Jordan's 55-point explosion at Madison Square Garden on its 25th anniversary. How famous would John Starks be in the Twitter and Instagram era? What made Jordan's game-winning play so special? Why did Hubie Brown steal the show? The guys then pivot with questions about NBA crowd environments, and whether the coronavirus might spoil Steve Ballmer's idea of building a "Wall of Sound" in his new arena. At the end, Michael explains his 40" vertical leap and accepts an offer to be a ringer on a Milwaukee beach volleyball team.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://ww

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina open with a game of "Two Truths and a lie." Did Michael have a 40-inch vertical in high school? Is he really related to Dana Barros? Did Ben once shatter a backboard? Did he watch the 2004 Finals in a disease-fueled state in a foreign country? From there, they take questions from the Open Floor Globe. Should media members act as stand-in fans if NBA games resume in empty arenas? Which NBA stars would rise to the top if the league enacted a six-foot social distancing policy on the court? What advice do the guys have for a recent high school graduate about becoming a sportswriter and picking games to watch on a nightly basis? 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 a summary of the NBA's looming $1 billion hit due to the coronavirus and possible impacts on next year's salary cap. Should the owners and players agree to "smooth" a possible record cap decline? From there, Michael plays matchmaker between 2020 free agents and teams, pairing Fred VanVleet with the Knicks, Montrezl Harrell with the Pistons and Paul Millsap with the Suns. Then, the guys take questions from the Open Floor Globe. How should the NBA save its annual awards show? Were Anfernee Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal underrated as a duo? Which 1980s-era playoff games do Ben and Michael wish they had been alive to see? At the end, they address a distraught high school senior and an emailer who is seeking forgiveness after lying to Open Floor about his love life. 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 cope with the coronavirus crisis by running through some of this season's biggest lost narratives. What's next for the Bucks, Nets and Rockets? How will the suspended schedule impact Giannis Antetokounmpo's "supermax" decision? Would Kevin Durant consider a return to the delayed postseason? Is Daryl Morey off the hook for his Hong Kong tweet? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe about the favorite NBA seasons of their childhoods and their memories of Michael Jordan's return from baseball. They show some love to U.S. health care workers and close by discussing their NBA doppelgangers.   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 discuss the coronavirus and its ongoing impacts on the NBA schedule. Players have been sent home and the NBA is on hiatus for at least two months. Can a postseason be salvaged? Should a postseason be salvaged? An Open Floor Globe member from Denmark sounds the alarm about what's coming for the USA, while another from France correctly suggests that this crisis is an opportunity in disguise. From there, Ben and Michael circle back to take questions on heated debates from past shows. If LeBron James supposedly isn't as famous as we think, why is he so well-known in an underground gold mine in the Australian outback? Should an Orlando Magic fan seek revenge after his girlfriend cheated on him during the Slam Dunk Contest? Should we add an oddities wing to our plans for making a statue garden at the Hall of Legends?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcirc

Ben Golliver and Michael Pina discuss the NBA's decision to indefinitely suspend the 2019-20 season after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and guard Donovan Mitchell tested positive for the coronavirus. Did the NBA make the right decision and should they have made it earlier? Will we see any more games this season? If not, which playoff storylines will we miss the most? How should fans treat Gobert? What can you and your family do to stay safe?  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 look back at LeBron James's big weekend, as the Los Angeles Lakers enjoyed signature victories over the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers. Did LeBron vault into the MVP conversation? Are the Lakers now the title favorites? Will Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury damage his MVP chances, and should it alter Milwaukee's approach to the rest of the season? From there, Ben and Michael discuss the NBA's ongoing response to the Coronavirus, including the anticipated closing of locker rooms to media members. They wrap up the episode by dissecting Kenny Atkinson's departure as Brooklyn Nets coach, running through possible replacement candidates, and announcing that a Zion-themed hymn has become the show's new theme song. 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 Stephen Curry back to the court with an extended discussion about the Golden State Warriors guard's legacy and next chapter. Will Curry win another title and/or MVP? Where will the Warriors finish in the West standings next year? How much elite basketball does he have left in the tank, and which factors are working for and against him? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. They respond to accusations of LeBron-induced myopia, discuss the state of NBA television commentating in the wake of Daryl Morey's critiques, and weigh a possible Joel Embiid to the Nets trade scenario.  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 dissecting the escalating tension between James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Does Harden have a point? Is he guilty of hypocrisy? What constitutes "skill" in basketball? Then, they pivot to a quick discussion about Kevin Durant's possible interest in representing Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. From there, they break down the Rockets' overtime victory over the Celtics. How does Boston build into a title team? What makes Russell Westbrook so dangerous in Houston's new five-out approach? Are the Clippers prepared to spoil the Rockets' rise? Ben and Michael close with follow-up questions about their Hall of Legends and Statue Garden ideas, including snub nominees and a "Statuability" ranking.  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 an extended discussion of LeBron James' first game against Zion Williamson. Was LeBron trying to prove a point? How did Zion hold up? Was there some chilliness to their post-game comments, and is a rivalry budding? From there, Ben and Michael dig deep into Milwaukee's historic season. Will Mike Budenholzer screw this up or does he take unfair criticism? Should the Bucks chase 70 wins? How should they handle Giannis Antetokounmpo's minutes in the playoffs? The episode closes with questions from the Open Floor Globe. Which players need a change of scenery this summer? If Zion got kidnapped, who should the kidnappers call first to ensure the biggest ransom? How did Michael manage to be kind and insightful on a Suns podcast? And, finally, should a Heat fan buy and wear a Sixers jersey when he goes to a game in Philadelphia during a work trip?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/br

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina offer a line-by-line breakdown of Michael Jordan's incredibly moving tribute for Kobe Bryant. Why did MJ's speech resonate with so many people? Why should it be viewed as the ultimate validation for Kobe's career? From there, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. Should there be a more exclusive "Hall of Legends" that complements the Hall of Fame but only honors players with lasting impacts? If so, who should be in and who should be out? Then, the discussion shifts to the Celtics and Sixers. What does Jayson Tatum's recent hot stretch say about his long-term ceiling? Should Ben Simmons shut it down for the season due to his back problems?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina discuss the fallout surrounding Kyrie Irving's season-ending shoulder surgery. What's next for the Brooklyn Nets? Does the concept of a "Gap year" really exist? Would the Nets undo their 2019 summer if they could? From there, Ben and Michael pivot to suggestions from the Open Floor Globe on how to fix All-Star Weekend. Should the dunk contest add sensors or change its scoring system? Should the Three-Point Contest be turned into a giant game of 21? Should the All-Star Game's Elam ending add protections so that it doesn't finish on a free throw? Finally, they address whether Giannis Antetokounmpo's late-game weaknesses on offense cost Team Giannis the All-Star Game victory. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina convene for a late-night All-Star Weekend recap. Ben and Michael run through the winners and losers of the midseason showcase in Chicago, praising the NBA's new All-Star Game format and the many standouts from Sunday's game (Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Rudy Gobert). They chide Joel Embiid and Kemba Walker for their late-game missteps, before shifting gears to dive deeply into a Slam Dunk Contest breakdown and a pity party for Aaron Gordon. Just how badly did the judges blow it? What's the fix for next year? Then, Ben offers some behind-the-scenes gushing on Zion Williamson and names his Mt. Rushmore of All-Star Weekend figures. Along the way, Ben and Michael discuss the brewing rivalry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden, and praise the All-Star Saturday victories for Bam Adebayo and Buddy Hield. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPr

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina preview the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend. Will Zion Williamson and Team USA crush Luka Doncic and the World Team in the Rising Stars Challenge? Who will benefit from the rule changes in the Three-Point Contest? With Zion skipping out, will the Dunk Contest still be worth watching? And who will take the crown: Aaron Gordon or Derrick Jones Jr.? Then, on Sunday, won't the All-Star Game be the perfect opportunity for Nick Nurse and the Raptors to recruit Giannis Antetokounmpo? Ben and Michael close by taking questions on the evolving nature of basketball and the Cleveland Cavaliers' dismal future. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina recover from the NBA trade deadline by catching their breath before the upcoming craziness of All-Star Weekend. They start with a deep dive into the Toronto Raptors, who have won 14 straight entering Monday. What's driving the Raptors' success and why are they such an intriguing threat to the Bucks? From there, they analyze Damian Lillard's complaints about the officials and the NBA's stunning decision not to pushing Portland for its vociferous complaining. To close, Ben and Michael take questions from the Open Floor Globe. How many All-Star starters throughout history have been worse than Trae Young? Should the All-Star rosters be expanded? Is Gersson Rosas the Messiah in Minnesota? Why does one San Diego chef always think about Kobe Bryant whenever he remembers slicing off his finger in a cooking accident?   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina run though the winners and losers of the 2020 NBA Trade Deadline. Did the Warriors gamble wisely on Andrew Wiggins? Did the Timberwolves sacrifice too much in their successful pursuit of D'Angelo Russell? Did the Rockets, Sixers and Heat do enough to change their playoff outlooks? Were the Bucks and Clippers actually the biggest winners? How depressing, exactly, was Andre Drummond's trade to the Cavaliers? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina preview this week's NBA trade deadline. First, though, they recap the Lakers' Friday night tribute to Kobe Bryant and Damian Lillard's remarkable 48-point performance in LA. How did LeBron James do with his pre-game speech? Are there any hypothetical duos that would be better than LeBron and Dame? Are the Blazers the team everyone should want to claim the West's eighth seed? When it comes to the deadline, Ben and Michael talk through which aspiring contenders are the most desperate to make a move (Rockets, Sixers) and which should consider rolling the dice (Lakers, Clippers, Bucks). They close by talking through the various All-Star snubs -- Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Zach LaVine -- to determine who actually has a case. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina discuss the aftermath of Kobe Bryant's tragic death. Ben discusses the scene at the site of the helicopter crash in Calabasas, describes the memorials across Los Angeles and offers first-hand observations from the Lakers' first media session after Bryant's death. From there, Michael offers perspective from New York, and they discuss the implications of Bryant's death on the upcoming trade deadline, All-Star Weekend and NBA playoffs. They close by discussing Bryant's influence -- from his jersey numbers to his sneakers -- and take the New York Knicks to task for their ugly on-court incident and post-game comments while the league was still in mourning.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina react to the tragic deaths of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina tackle all angles of Zion Williamson's electrifying debut for the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Ben provides some on-scene highlights, then they grade Williamson's performance and reminisce about his 17-point fourth-quarter explosion. From there, they discuss the Pelicans' strict interpretation of Williamson's minutes limit, the fact that the game was somehow not sold out, and the current state of Williamson's health. To close, Ben and Michael pivot to a contender check-in on the Bucks and Rockets. Is Milwaukee actually misunderstood and underrated? Is Giannis Inc. itself guilty of underrating their 2020 title chances? Can Houston salvage its season? Does Tilman Fertitta need to step up and swing big at the deadline? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy