On the latest episode of The Atlantic Files, we delve into the dramatic turn of events in the NBA playoffs. In episode 274, we analyze the Boston Celtics’ heartbreaking defeat against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, with a focus on Jayson Tatum’s ankle injury and Jaylen Brown’s struggles. We also discuss Derrick White’s heroic performance for the Celtics and evaluate the implications it had on their playoff run.
But that’s not all—our attention shifts to an intriguing coaching update in the league. Get the inside scoop on the recent news of Nick Nurse, the renowned head coach of the Toronto Raptors, joining the Philadelphia 76ers. We dissect the pros and cons of Nurse coaching Joel Embiid and explore his remarkable postseason success.
Additionally, we explore the potential moves of the Toronto Raptors, questioning whether they should make a trade for the #3 pick in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft. Plus, we touch upon Bob Myers stepping down from his position with the Golden State Warriors, bringing further excitement to the NBA offseason.
Whether you’re a dedicated fan of the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers, or simply an NBA enthusiast, this episode has something for everyone. Join our engaging discussion and stay up-to-date with all the latest basketball news and insights.
Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:15:10 Boston Celtics lose Game 7 in embarrassing fashion 00:42:45 2023 NBA Finals preview, Nuggets vs Heat 01:00:00 Nick Nurse joins the Philadelphia 76ers 01:14:40 Should the Raptors trade for the third pick? 01:20:15 Bob Myers steps down from Golden State 01:34:28 – Outro
This week on the Atlantic Files, Nikola Jokic is producing at a historic level this postseason, LeBron James talks about retirement after getting swept by the Nuggets, Jimmy Butler is still wreaking havoc on the world, James Harden is trying to strong hand the Sixers into a max deal, rumors are swirling around a Mikal Bridges to Portland deal, and Monty Williams turns down the job in Detroit.
Nikola Jokic is producing triple-doubles left and right this postseason and is fresh off of averaging one during the sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets beat the Lakers so badly that it had LeBron James talking about retirement just to get the narrative off of the fact that he got swept.
On the other side of the bracket, Jimmy Butler led the Miami Heat to a 3-0 start in the Eastern Conference Finals before the Boston Celtics finally won a game. Butler has won over many NBA fans as he keeps walking the walk at the same time as talking the talk.
James Harden is now seeking a max deal after feeling like he sacrificed enough for one whole season that ended in a second-round exit at the hands of Jayson Tatum. The 76ers, on the other hand, don’t seem very interested in giving him all that money so we might see him go to Houston after all.
Finally, the rumor mills are turning as Mikal Bridges is the latest name swirling around. His name was mentioned in a trade that sent the number three pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and one or both of Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe. The bigger question is whether or not the Nets want to compete or rebuild from the ground up.
On this week’s episode of The Atlantic Files, Doc Rivers gets fired from the Philadelphia 76ers, Jayson Tatum has a historic night as the Boston Celtics eliminated the 76ers again, both Conference Finals matchups are set, coaches are looking for jobs everywhere, the legacies of James Harden and Joel Embiid are on the line, and more!
Doc Rivers is officially out as the 76ers head coach even though Joel Embiid isn’t quite happy about it. The team choked another lead away and couldn’t get out of the second round for a third year in a row. Daryl Morey decided that the first domino to fall was Rivers as they try to appease to James Harden.
Jayson Tatum cashed in a historic Game 7 to beat down the 76ers and now sets his sights on Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. Can the Celtics finally end this Cinderella run or will Butler lead them back to the Finals just like the Disney Bubble year? Joe Mazzulla has had some shaky moments in the first two rounds, so he’ll need to tighten up against one of the best coaches in the league.
On the other side of the bracket, there are the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. It’s another story of the powerhouse favorite against the play-in underdog team. Nikola Jokic has been absolutely amazing this postseason, but Anthony Davis and LeBron James have made their own noise after taking down the Grizzlies and Warriors.
Finally, there are tons of coaches looking for jobs now. Which coach would fit better with each team that has an opening? Plus, how are the legacies of some of the eliminated players affected?
Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:07:40 Doc Rivers fired as 76ers choke again 00:51:44 Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Eastern Conference Finals 01:07:56 Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Western Conference Finals 01:13:12 Ja Morant and the Coaching Carousel 01:18:17 Talking with Mario from NBA A LA CHILENA 01:29:26 Outro
On this week’s episode of The Atlantic Files, Joel Embiid finally wins his first MVP over Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Philadelphia 76ers have pushed the Boston Celtics to the brink of elimination, the New York Knicks are also trying to fend off elimination in their series, and more NBA Playoffs observations!
Joel Embiid has been a part of the highly debated MVP conversation over the last 2-to-3 seasons and it was finally his time to shine. With a substantial portion of the vote, he won his first MVP award over Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. This doesn’t exactly end the debate as people will likely talk about it for years to come, but no one can take away the MVP honors.
After a surprising Game 5 win, the Philadelphia 76ers pushed the Boston Celtics to the brink of elimination. Doc Rivers doesn’t have a great track record in series-clinching games and the Celtics are not a team that will go down without a fight. Can Joel Embiid and company actually push through the second round or will it be a Game 7 and maybe even a similar fate to the last few seasons?
The New York Knicks are in the same boat as the Celtics as they find themselves down 2-3 to the Miami Heat. A big Game 5 propelled them into at least one more game with Jalen Brunson leading the way as usual. The rest of the team just needs to step up so that Brunson doesn’t have to do everything the rest of the way.
Then, there are the two Western Conference semifinals, which have been entertaining in their own right. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets have been pushing the Suns around for the most part and LeBron James is determined to make father time look like a joke. Who do you have coming out of the West?
Finally, a surprising name popped up in the Toronto Raptors head coaching search. JJ Redick apparently was interviewed for the opening despite never openly showing any interest in actually being a coach. This could be something to watch closely moving forward!
Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:35 Joel Embiid wins 2023 NBA MVP 00:11:13 Sixers win Game 5, could eliminate Celtics 00:31:36 Knicks down 2-3 to Miami 00:36:39 Nuggets vs Suns and Lakers vs Warriors series 00:46:49 JJ Redick interviewed for head coach of Toronto 00:48:42 outro
On this week’s episode of The Atlantic Files, the New York Knicks are shutting down the Cleveland Cavaliers with ease, Jimmy Butler flipped his playoff switch against Milwaukee, the Philadelphia 76ers swept the Brooklyn Nets so what do they need to do this off-season, Ime Udoka got the job with the Houston Rockets, and more!
Both the Knicks and Jimmy Butler have flipped the playoff switch lately. New York is on a high right now as they took a 3-1 lead over the Cavaliers as the series goes back to Cleveland for Game 5. Many analysts, including us on this podcast, didn’t believe in the Knicks winning a series against a Donovan Mitchell-led Cavs team. Yet, here they are on the cusp of advancing to the second round! Then, there’s the tale as old as time in playoff Jimmy. Butler has taken the Heat to the edge of a huge upset over the first-seed Milwaukee Bucks after he put up a historic performance in Game 4.
Now that the Brooklyn Nets have been swept for the second time in two years, what do they need to avoid the same fate for a third consecutive season? How do they build after moving on from the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving experiment? Well, a good start is having players like Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, that’s for sure! It’s time to talk about the pieces they need around those two.
Ime Udoka’s name has been thrown around rumor mills for every single team that needed a head coach. Finally, two teams fired their coaches and then it became a contest of which one could hire him quicker. Reportedly, he didn’t want the Toronto job, so he ended up taking the Houston opening. Does he immediately make them a playoff contender, or is there still a long way to go for this squad?
Finally, we go over the other playoff series around the league and talk about the hottest topics. Dillon Brooks is regretting poking the bear, the Minnesota Timberwolves finally won a game, the Los Angeles Clippers are injured again, and more!
Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:56 2023 NBA Playoffs observations 00:46:32 New York Knicks making the ECF 01:03:31 Joel Embiid sprains his LCL 01:16:58 Brooklyn Nets changes they need to make in the off-season 01:30:08 Ime Udoka heading to Houston 01:34:15 Outro
In the latest episode of The Atlantic Files, hosts Alex Fischbein discussed the latest happenings in the NBA playoffs. As always, the podcast focused on the Atlantic Division but also covered some broader observations about the playoffs as a whole. Here are some of the highlights from the episode:
Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets playoffs series
Alex broke down the first-round series between the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, two of the most talented teams in the Eastern Conference. Mikal Bridges has proven to be a top-notch player that deserves to be the number-one option on a playoff team. On the other side, Joel Embiid has grown in his playmaking abilities as he’s been consistently finding his teammates out of double teams.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks playoffs series
In addition to discussing specific matchups, Alex also shared some broader observations about the playoffs. He talked about the dominance of Western Conference teams, the rise of younger teams like the Sacramento Kings and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the importance of coaching in the postseason.
Draymond Green stomping on Domantas Sabonis
One controversial moment in the playoffs was Draymond Green’s stomp on Domantas Sabonis during the Golden State Warriors’ series against the Sacramento Kings. Alex weighed in on the incident and its potential consequences, both for Green and for the Warriors’ playoff hopes.
Jaren Jackson Jr. winning Defensive Player of the Year
Another topic of discussion was Jaren Jackson Jr. winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. The host praised Jackson’s ability to guard multiple positions and impact the game on both ends of the court.
De’Aaron Fox winning clutch player of the year
Finally, De’Aaron Fox won the Clutch Player of the Year award, which recognizes players who perform best in high-pressure situations. They talked about Fox’s ability to take over games in the fourth quarter and his importance to the Sacramento Kings’ success.
The Atlantic Files continues to be the go-to podcast for fans of the Atlantic Division and the NBA as a whole. With expert analysis, engaging conversation, and a focus on the latest news and trends in the league, it’s no wonder the podcast has become such a hit among basketball fans. Be sure to tune in to the next episode for even more great content!
Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:10 Joel Embiid, Mikal Bridges, Sixers vs Nets 00:22:11 Knicks vs Cavs tied 1-1 00:38:20 NBA Playoffs observations from around the league 00:53:17 Draymond Green suspended for stomp 00:57:55 Jaren Jackson Jr and De’Aaron Fox win awards 01:00:29 Outro
The NBA Playoffs and Play-In Games are in full swing, and fans across the world are excited to see their favorite teams compete for the championship. Two of the teams in the spotlight this year are the Atlanta Hawks and the Los Angeles Lakers. In this episode, we’ll take a look at the past and present of the Atlanta Hawks, recap the NBA Playoffs and Play-In Games, provide predictions for the postseason, and discuss some of the off-court drama involving NBA players.
I. Atlanta Hawks: Past and Present
The Atlanta Hawks franchise has a rich history that dates back to the 1940s, but they have yet to win an NBA championship. Despite this, the Hawks have made several playoff appearances in recent years, including this year’s Playoffs. The Hawks are led by Trae Young, who is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the league. Young has been instrumental in the Hawks’ success this season, averaging 25.3 points and 9.4 assists per game.
II. NBA Playoffs and Play-In Games: Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers
The Play-In Games were introduced to the NBA this year, and they have already provided some thrilling matchups. In the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks faced off against the Miami Heat in a tense battle. The Hawks emerged victorious, thanks in part to Trae Young’s 25-point performance. The Hawks will now face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers have also had an eventful season, with several injuries and lineup changes. Despite this, the Lakers managed to secure the seventh seed in the Western Conference and earned a spot in the Playoffs. In their recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers came out on top, with LeBron James leading the charge with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
LeBron James has been a force to be reckoned with in the NBA Playoffs throughout his career, with four championships to his name. James has won a total of 172 playoff games, which is the most in NBA history. The Lakers will face the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the Playoffs, and fans are eagerly anticipating another dominant performance from James and the Lakers.
As for predictions, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top this year. The Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Milwaukee Bucks are all strong contenders, but the playoffs are known for producing unexpected upsets and breakout performances. One player to keep an eye on is Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies, who has been making waves with his electrifying play.
III. Off-Court Drama: Kyle Kuzma and Spencer Dinwiddie
In addition to the on-court action, there has been some drama brewing off the court involving NBA players Kyle Kuzma and Spencer Dinwiddie. The two players have been engaged in a feud on social media, with Dinwiddie calling out Kuzma for his lackluster performance on the court. It’s unclear what sparked the feud, but some speculate that it may have to do with Kuzma’s recent breakup with model Winnie Harlow.
IV. Coaching Changes in the NBA
This year has also seen several coaching changes in the NBA. The most high-profile of these changes was the firing of Nate McMillan from the Atlanta Hawks. Other coaches who were let go include Dwane Casey of the Detroit Pistons and Stephen Silas of the Houston Rockets.
There has been some discussion about whether there is discrimination among NBA coaches based on their race. In the 2020-21 season, only seven out of 30 NBA head coaches were Black. This has led to some criticism of the NBA and calls for more diversity and inclusion in coaching positions. Now, head coaches seem to be trending toward fewer white candidates as more and more coaches get their first shot with teams at all different points of competition level.
The NBA Playoffs and Play-In Games have provided fans with plenty of excitement and drama this year. The Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers are both in the mix, with the Hawks looking to make a deep playoff run and the Lakers hoping to defend their championship title. Off the court, there have been some interesting developments, including the feud between Kyle Kuzma and Spencer Dinwiddie and the coaching changes across the league. Regardless of what happens, fans can look forward to a thrilling postseason full of surprises and standout performances.
Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:06:44 Atlanta Hawks vs Miami Heat play-in game 00:29:49 Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves play-in game 00:42:28 Toronto Raptor vs Chicago Bulls Play-In game preview 00:49:43 Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans play-in game preview 00:50:18 Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Kuzma beef 01:07:14 Dwane Casey and Stephen Silas no longer head coaches 01:09:08 Are NBA coaches getting fired due to race? 01:28:14 Lakers or Hawks, who is more likely to pull off an upset 01:30:01 Remember this guy? 01:36:03 Outro
On this week’s episode of The Atlantic Files, we welcome BJ Boyer back to the show as we preview the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs, go over the scenarios some teams need to still make the playoffs or play-in tournament, talk about the crazy rollercoaster of a season that the Los Angeles Lakers have had, go over some things in the new CBA, talk about the downfall of the Dallas Mavericks, and more!
A friend of the show and local Los Angeles Lakers fan, BJ Boyer, joined this week’s episode to explain his feelings on the current iteration of the team and how much of a rollercoaster ride this season was. He even predicted how long this core will last until they finally have to blow it up again.
Then, we got into some of the specifics that have reportedly been included in the league’s new collective bargaining agreement. The CBA has included things from game limits to qualify for regular season awards to some very interesting salary cap rules that will force general managers to play some crazy cap gymnastics. We gave our thoughts on some of the changes and dove into a lot of details.
Finally, we talked about the downfall of the Dallas Mavericks and started to preview the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Which top teams in each conference are more likely to lose in an upset and which ones will actually make the Conference Finals? Should the Philadelphia 76ers want to play against the Milwaukee Bucks instead of the Boston Celtics, or should they just jump in against either one of them? We go in-depth into those questions and more!
Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:49 Los Angeles Lakers season explained 00:34:34 The NBA’s new CBA, salary cap, and more 00:57:16 2023 NBA Playoffs predictions and preview 01:39:18 Remember this guy? 01:41:53 Outro
Welcome to The Atlantic Files, where we cover the Atlantic Division in the NBA as well as big news and updates around the league. In today’s episode, we will be discussing two main topics: Jaylen Brown’s frustration with the Boston Celtics and Ja Morant’s recent suspension. We will also be covering other NBA news and updates, including the recent MVP discussion, Michael Jordan selling the Charlotte Hornets, and player injuries.
Jaylen Brown’s frustration with the Boston Celtics and Fans
Recently, there have been reports of Jaylen Brown‘s frustration with the Boston Celtics organization. It is speculated that the team’s struggles and potential changes in NBA free agency might be the cause of his dissatisfaction. Brown has been one of the Celtics’ key players, and his possible departure could have a significant impact on the team and Celtics fans.
There are rumors about Brown’s desire to leave Boston, with some NBA insiders suggesting that he may be looking for a change of scenery. This has raised concerns among Celtics fans, who are hoping that the team can retain one of their best players.
Ja Morant’s recent suspension
Ja Morant, the young star point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, has been suspended for eight games by the NBA for displaying a gun on Instagram Live while he was being investigated for all of the other recent reports coming out. He’s set to return this week after getting back into game shape and seeking treatment in Florida.
Morant has had an impressive career so far, with a career-high of 44 points and an average of 19.8 points per game. He is also known for his speed and agility on the court, making him a popular pick for fantasy basketball managers. However, with his recent suspension, fantasy managers will need to consider their options carefully.
Other NBA news and updates
In other NBA news, Giannis Antetokounmpo talked about the ever-changing criteria for MVP. Joel Embiid also made headlines with his recent 30-point game streak, while Nikola Jokic continues to impress.
There have also been some recent NBA player injuries and surgeries, including Lonzo Ball‘s surgery for his knee injury. Ball is expected to be out for most, if not all, of the next season, which could have an impact on the Chicago Bulls’ performance.
On top of that, Michael Jordan is looking into selling a majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets. He’s had quite the roller coaster ride as a team owner while the Hornets have consistently been a bottom-feeder type of team during his tenure. The newest owner could finally bring some wins and fun back to Charlotte for once.
To wrap up
In summary, the NBA has been filled with exciting news and updates recently, from Jaylen Brown’s frustration with the Boston Celtics to Ja Morant’s recent suspension. We also covered other recent events, including Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP discussion, Michael Jordan selling the Hornets, and player injuries.
As always, we want to hear from our listeners. What are your thoughts on Jaylen Brown’s potential departure from the Boston Celtics? Do you think Ja Morant’s suspension was enough? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:07:51 Jaylen Brown talks Boston Celtics fans and toxicity 00:32:18 Giannis Antetokounmpo talks about the MVP criteria 00:47:26 Ja Morant’s suspension and treatment 00:55:17 Lonzo Ball may miss another season 00:57:25 Michael Jordan selling majority stake in Charlotte Hornets 01:06:46 Remember this guy? 01:18:12 Outro
This week, on The Atlantic Files, Ja Morant is watching a lot of his money and opportunities disappear, the New York Knicks are hitting a hot stretch at the right time, the new CBA could use games played to qualify for major awards, Draymond Green and Dillon Brooks are in a big time beef, Kyrie Irving says gambling is taking away from basketball, and Fred VanVleet opens up the referee can of worms!
The hottest news and memes on the block are all related to Ja Morant. That’s not good news or memes either. Morant is now away from the team as he seeks counseling after losing a sponsorship or two due to more and more allegations coming out about fights, guns, and all sorts of things. He needs some help making decisions and navigating the world as a young man with tons of money.
Once again, on a hot streak, the New York Knicks are making people believe that they’re a dangerous team again. Knicks fans are revving up their engines to match the levels they were on when they ended up playing the Atlanta Hawks in the first round a couple of seasons ago. Can the world handle that?
There are rumors swirling around the new CBA that could entail a game played minimum for major awards like MVP in the future. This is something that a lot of people would love to see, but are there players and teams that are going to game the system and still get their guys rest days by playing them for a minute? This could be another sad attempt at getting people to stop with load management.
The beef of the ages is happening between Draymond Green and Dillon Brooks. Two people who aren’t very relevant this season when it comes to outstanding play and winning awards. They sure know how to keep their names in the news and everyone’s mind though!
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Kyrie Irving went on another rant. This time it was about how gambling and sports betting are ruining the sport of basketball and how he doesn’t feel free right now. Yikes.
Finally, Fred VanVleet has finally spoken up about some unfair officiating and other players around the league are starting to agree with him. Could this launch some sort of investigation? Probably not, but it makes everyone wonder.
Timecodes: 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:24 Ja Morant’s off-court drama 00:26:24 Draymond Green vs Dillon Brooks beef 00:36:03 New CBA and games played minimum for awards 00:45:49 American White guys are not good at basketball 00:55:38 Kyrie Irving rants about gambling and basketball 01:04:58 New York Knicks are getting hot at the right time 01:09:55 Fred VanVleet vs the NBA Referees 01:17:58 Remember this guy? 01:20:56 Outro
