Tag / scottie barnes

by Alex Fischbein

Trendon Watford Masterclass, Nico Harrison Disasterclass

Welcome back to The Atlantic Files! In Episode 325, Alex dives into another wild week around the NBA — including a full recap of Week 3 in the Atlantic Division, Karl-Anthony Towns’ unbelievable stat line, Trendon Watford’s first career triple-double, and the latest drama surrounding the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks front office.

This episode is packed with analysis, stats, and some hot takes you won’t want to miss.

🏀 Atlantic Division Week 3 in Review

Week 3 gave us plenty to talk about across the Atlantic Division. The Sixers continue to impress behind Tyrese Maxey’s rise, while the Knicks are proving they belong in the top half of the East. The Celtics are still trying to figure things out, the Raptors’ young core is finding its footing, and the Nets… well, they’re a whole other story this week.

Topics Discussed:

  • Updated standings and trends from the past week
  • The most impressive wins and most disappointing losses
  • Which Atlantic team looks like the biggest threat in the East so far

📈 Karl-Anthony Towns’ Historic Efficiency

Karl-Anthony Towns made NBA history this week with one of the most efficient stretches ever seen — combining elite rebounding numbers with near-perfect free throw shooting. Alex breaks down what makes Towns so unique as a big man and whether his consistency could put him in All-NBA conversation this season.

🔥 Trendon Watford’s First Career Triple-Double

Trendon Watford has officially arrived on the scene with his first career triple-double! We talk about his performance, what it means for his development, and how he’s quietly becoming an underrated bright spot this season.

Talking Points:

  • Watford’s rise as a versatile role player
  • His potential fit on a contender
  • Why his all-around game is catching attention

🤔 What Are the Nets Doing with Their Rebuild?!

The Brooklyn Nets remain one of the most puzzling teams in the league. Alex dissects what’s going wrong with their rebuild, the direction of their front office, and what the future holds for players like Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr.

Key Topics:

  • Evaluating the Nets’ long-term plan (or lack thereof)
  • Player development and coaching concerns
  • Whether the team should commit to the rookies

💼 Nico Harrison’s Job on the Line?

Reports suggest Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison’s time could be running out, with many insiders calling his firing “a matter of when, not if.” We break down the Mavericks’ struggles, the questionable roster decisions, and how front office instability could affect Luka Doncic’s future in Dallas.

Join the conversation:

  • Should the Nets play all of the rookies?
  • Is Karl-Anthony Towns finally living up to his potential?
  • What’s next for Dallas if Nico Harrison is gone?

Subscribe to The Atlantic Files on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for new episodes every Monday and Wednesday, and follow us on social media for more NBA talk and reactions.

by Alex Fischbein

2025-26 Atlantic Division Preview, We’re Back!

The Atlantic Files is back! After a brief break, we’re kicking off the 2025-26 NBA season with a new format — episodes every Monday and Wednesday, each running around 30–40 minutes so you can stay up to date without missing a beat.

In this return episode, we dive straight into what we do best: breaking down the entire Atlantic Division heading into the new NBA season. From roster shake-ups to offseason signings, we analyze how each team stacks up and what to expect once the games tip off.

In this episode:

  • 📅 The Return: What’s new with the show, the updated schedule, and how the shorter format will keep things fresh and focused.
  • 🏀 Boston Celtics: Can they defend their title, or is there a championship hangover coming?
  • 🗽 New York Knicks: Did their offseason moves finally make them legit contenders in the East?
  • 🇨🇦 Toronto Raptors: What’s next for this rebuilding squad and their young core?
  • 🦅 Philadelphia 76ers: Will Embiid finally get the help he needs after another deep playoff run?
  • 🍀 Brooklyn Nets: Assessing their retooling strategy and whether it’s a step forward or another false start.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Atlantic Division or just love in-depth NBA talk, this episode is the perfect season opener to get you ready for tipoff.

🎧 Listen now to Episode 320 of The Atlantic Files — and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a Monday or Wednesday drop!

by Alex Fischbein

Eastern Conference Preview, 2024-25 NBA Award And Season Predictions | TAF319

Welcome to episode 319 of The Atlantic Files! We’re back with a full court of NBA goodness, just in time for the 2024-25 season to tip off. This week, we’re breaking down three divisions, giving our early predictions for the season’s biggest awards, and discussing all the latest from week one of NBA action. If you’re ready to get hyped for hoops, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s jump into it!

2024-25 NBA Atlantic Division Preview: Battle for the East

We kick things off with a preview of the Atlantic Division, where rivalries are brewing, and every team has something to prove. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are once again expected to be the big dogs, but don’t sleep on the New York Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets, who could both make some noise. Plus, the Toronto Raptors are looking to bounce back with a new head coach and fresh energy. We break down each team’s strengths, weaknesses, and what it’ll take for them to emerge as the division champs.

Southeast Division Breakdown: Can the Heat Stay Hot?

Next, we shift our focus to the Southeast Division, where the Miami Heat are looking to keep their fire burning after a deep playoff run. But they’re not the only ones with high hopes; the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic both have young stars ready to make a leap. The Washington Wizards, meanwhile, are still figuring things out post-Bradley Beal, while the Charlotte Hornets hope that their offseason changes can finally lead to some consistency. We dive into all the teams and assess who could be this season’s sleeper.

Central Division Preview: Who’s the King of the Midwest?

The Central Division is stacked with intriguing storylines, from the Milwaukee Bucks‘ new-look lineup to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ ongoing rise. The Chicago Bulls are hoping to make noise with their star power, while the Indiana Pacers continue to build around their young talent. And then there are the Detroit Pistons, aiming to take a significant step forward with Cade Cunningham leading the charge. We break down each squad’s potential and predict how this division might shake out.

2024-25 NBA Awards and Playoff Predictions: Who’s Taking Home the Hardware?

It wouldn’t be the start of an NBA season without some bold predictions! We share our picks for the MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and more. Plus, we take a stab at predicting which teams will make the playoffs and who could be in for a deep run. Are we riding the hype train for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, or do we see a seasoned veteran reclaiming the MVP throne? Tune in to find out!

News and Notes from Week 1: Early Surprises and What to Watch

The first week of the NBA season always brings some surprises, and this year is no different. We cover the top stories from week one, including standout performances, unexpected struggles, and key injuries. Which teams look like they’re hitting their stride early, and who’s already showing signs of trouble? We’ve got the insights you need to keep up with all the action.

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:56 Southeast Division Preview
00:28:23 Central Division Preview
00:40:47 Atlantic Division Preview
00:56:28 NBA Awards and Playoffs Predictions
01:12:44 Outro

by Alex Fischbein

Josh Giddey Rumors, Jordan Poole, Scott Foster’s Feud With Chris Paul | TAF295

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1k0UIQr0VaYupSo4bPtCQE

On this week’s episode of The Atlantic Files, Josh Giddey finds himself in troublesome rumors, Jordan Poole becomes a Shaqtin a fool MVP and Kevin Garnett says he doesn’t belong in the league, Scott Foster and Chris Paul’s feud adds a new chapter, and more!

Josh Giddey is currently under investigation by the NBA and the Newport California police department for allegations of an underage relationship. Obviously, this is nothing to take lightly especially because it could affect Giddey’s career and life outside of basketball. There’s still information coming out about the saga, so we give some thoughts on the matter.

Jordan Poole has been the center of a few memes so far this season. He probably will be the center of many more if he continues to play the way he’s been playing lately. So, what exactly is happening with him and the Washington Wizards? Are they going to finally turn a corner at some point?

Chris Paul was kicked out of yet another game due to a feud with Scott Foster which continues one of the craziest battles between a player and a ref. Apparently, there was a meeting about it and Paul even said that Foster brought his son into the mix. That’s a serious comment and this feud may never end!

Finally, we check in with the Atlantic Division and go over how the teams are doing thus far. The Boston Celtics are at the top and they’re doing exactly what we thought they would!

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Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:26 Thanksgiving leftovers debate
00:14:06 Atlantic Division check-in
00:33:08 Jordan Poole is doing stuff
00:42:16 Josh Giddey has some troubling allegations
00:56:52 Scott Foster and Chris Paul’s feud
01:05:18 Mark Cuban Selling a majority stake of the Mavericks
01:09:18 Outro

by Alex Fischbein

Boston Celtics Crumble, Nick Nurse Joins The Philadelphia 76ers | TAF274

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.

SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss a new episode!

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

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

New York Knicks & Toronto Raptors Heading Opposite Ways | TAF256

On this week’s episode of The Atlantic Files, the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors are headed in separate directions as the Knicks are on a hot streak and the Raptors are sinking fast, Anthony Davis and Stephen Curry both get hurt while Joe Ingles is set to return, James Harden reveals a lot in his interview about why he left Brooklyn, would Mexico City be a good expansion city for the NBA, and more!

The Toronto Raptors were on a big losing skid before a 52-point game by Pascal Siakam finally allowed them to break it. As of right now, they’re barely hanging on to a play-in spot at the 10th seed. Is it time for this team to finally hit the panic button and look toward the trade market, or do they still have what it takes to make a deep playoff run?

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the New York Knicks are on a big win streak right now. They’ve shot all the way up to the sixth seed in the East. Their core guys are all contributing in big ways and Tom Thibodeau’s job looks secure for now. There’s always plenty of time for the Knicks to pull a Knicks-ish move before the season ends.

James Harden sat down for an interview to give some insight on why he decided to ask for a trade to get out of Brooklyn. He brought to light a lot of things that people were speculating about and a couple of surprising facts about the rest of the team. He ended everything by asking if he was still a quitter if the main superstar on the team also asked to get out of there.

There have been a few major injuries and some returns that have taken place recently. Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry, and Brandon Ingram have all either been out or are out now for an extended period of time. Joe Ingles is making his return to his new team after his torn ACL and Markelle Fultz has returned too. What type of impact do all of these things have?

Finally, Adam Silver talked about how Mexico City was putting in a lot of work to get an NBA expansion team in their city. Should Mexico City even be near the top of the list to get a team, or are they a few more American cities that need a team before they start looking internationally?

SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss a new episode!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:09:46 Time for the Toronto Raptors to hit the panic button?
00:27:47 Are the New York Knicks a playoff team?
00:44:06 NBA creating a Mexico City expansion team
00:53:50 Why James Harden really wanted out of Brooklyn
01:09:29 Major injuries and returns: Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, and Joe Ingles
01:14:33 Outro

Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors, The Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

Scottie Barnes’ Sophomore Slump | TAF254

On this week’s episode of The Atlantic Files Podcast, Scottie Barnes continues to have a rough sophomore season for the Toronto Raptors, James Harden struggles in his return from injury, Anthony Davis is dominating the league and staying healthy, Bradley Beal admits that no winning teams gave him an offer, Trae Young and Nate McMillan aren’t seeing eye-to-eye, and more!

Many basketball pundits and Twitter basketball “experts” have been commenting on Scottie Barnes’s lackluster season so far. He was expected to take a huge leap in his sophomore year but has struggled from time to time as he gets used to teams writing up game plans against him. He’s going to be just as fine as he has shown improvement in other areas of his game whether his scoring is down or not.

James Harden returned to the court with the Philadelphia 76ers after around a month of sitting out. Against his former team, the Houston Rockets, he certainly showed a lot of rust. He didn’t shoot well and turned the ball over in crucial moments during a double-overtime loss.

Anthony Davis caught a lot of flack from us on this podcast. His health was always in question and he was missing more games than he was playing. This season, however, he’s been playing through almost anything and he’s returned to a dominant force. Seeing him dominate again has been a great sight for the Los Angeles Lakers fans.

In a surprising quote, Bradley Beal admitted to not getting any offers from winning teams in the off-season. Usually, players of his status don’t admit something like that. There’s not much surprise to go with that statement though. Winning teams often don’t have the money to sign a star player to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Finally, there was some fighting between Trae Young and Nate McMillan. The two of them aren’t in agreement in terms of the ways that Young was treating the team and the coach. Some analysts have compared the situation to Zach Wilson with the New York Jets which is very alarming.

SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss a new episode!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:04:27 Scottie Barnes Sophomore Slump, concerned or not
00:16:16 James Harden returns and plays like crap, Philadelphia 76ers lose
00:37:54 Anthony Davis is out here dominating
00:47:29 Bradley Beal didn’t get any offers from winning teams
01:04:51 Trae Young and Nate McMillan have beef now
01:17:20 Mike calls into the show from the road
01:23:27 Outro

Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets, Jayson Tatum, Boston celtics, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

Jayson Tatum for MVP, Ben Simmons keeps fouling | TAF249

This week on The Atlantic Files, we have regular season basketball to talk about! With that being said, we dove into each Atlantic division team to see how they’re doing three-to-four games into the season. Then, we gave our biggest takeaways from the rest of the league so far into this first week or so.

First, we have to bring up the Philadelphia 76ers due to how much hype they were receiving coming into the season. So far, they’ve delivered the exact opposite of the expectations that were bestowed upon them. Joel Embiid has looked pretty awful, James Harden has actually looked phenomenal, and the rest of the team can’t play defense.

The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, are looking like the team that made the NBA Finals last season. Jayson Tatum is looking like an MVP candidate while the rest of the team is seemingly coming together with some great chemistry. Once their schedule ramps up, we’ll find out a lot about this team.

Then, we get to Brooklyn where the Nets are also underachieving just like the Sixers. Ben Simmons has fouled out twice already, Kyrie has already yelled at him to shoot the ball, and they also have only won one game so far.

Let’s look up to the north at the Toronto Raptors next. Their defense is looking as good as ever and Nick Nurse has them playing well together yet again. This team is going to make some big noise when it comes to playoff time.

Finally, even the New York Knicks are looking more scrappy and energetic than the Sixers and Nets. What world are we living in right now?!

Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
02:54 Sixers look like butt, James Harden has done well though
17:05 Jayson Tatum is looking like an MVP
23:23 Brooklyn Nets still figuring things out with Ben Simmons
31:33 Toronto Raptors are looking good to start the season
35:12 New York Knicks are getting somewhere!
47:11 Observations around the NBA
55:37 Thanks for watching!

Tyrese Haliburton, Scottie Barnes, Desmond Bane, NBA, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

Who will have the biggest breakout season in the NBA this year?

One of the most exciting things to watch as an NBA fan is seeing a younger player break out into a star. Especially if that player happens to play for your favorite team. That’s what sparked the question of which player is going to have the biggest breakout season in the NBA for the 2022-23 season!

This season, seemingly more than recent seasons, has a good list of younger players that could break out. Scottie Barnes, Desmond Bane, Tyrese Maxey, Jordan Poole, and RJ Barrett are just a few that could truly break out despite some great seasons last year.

Every championship team or contending team seems to have that one younger role player that explodes onto the scene like Jordan Poole. Even some of the teams that have a young star player sometimes have them kick it into another gear like Scottie Barnes or RJ Barrett.

We answered this question on the latest episode during the “Whatchu Got” segment.

Wouldn’t exactly recommend taking our suggestions and putting money on them, but you could take it as something to think about!

Either way, anyone can tell that we love Scottie Barnes on this podcast. Oh, Tyrese Maxey as well. I know, you’re probably not surprised by either name.

Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, RJ Barrett, New York
by Alex Fischbein

Kevin Durant stays, RJ Barrett leaves? | TAF240

On this week’s episode of the Atlantic Files, we talk about Kevin Durant yet again as he decides to take back everything and stay with the Brooklyn Nets, the New York Knicks are thinking of including RJ Barrett in a Donovan Mitchell trade, Chet Holmgren might have ligament damage, plus more during ‘whatchu got!’

The Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets saga is finally over. After some sort of meeting between Kevin Durant, Steve Nash, Joe Tsai, and Sean Marks, they decided to run it back. Being a fly on that wall would have been something. Either way, this whole drama show was for nothing.

On the other side of New York, the New York Knicks have still been in talks with the Utah Jazz about Donovan Mitchell. RJ Barrett is the latest name that could be included in that haul for Utah. Should the Knicks even consider trading their best asset though? Some think Barrett isn’t even that good in the first place, so why would Danny Ainge want him?

Very disheartening news came out after all of this. Chet Holmgren is now out for the season with a Lisfranc injury. At the time of the recording, the tests weren’t done just yet, but it seemed like it was headed for a season-ending injury. Such an unfortunate way for a player’s season to end in just a pro-am game that didn’t mean anything.

Then, we got to our “Whatchu Got” segment. Topics included who we thought was going to have the biggest breakout season, whether the Denver Nuggets are a Western Conference contender, and which players under 25 have the biggest potential peak!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:05:36 Happy Mamba day!
00:11:19 Kevin Durant is staying in Brooklyn
00:30:08 Should the New York Knicks trade RJ Barrett
00:42:43 Chet Holmgren is out for the season
00:54:01 Who will have the biggest breakout season in the NBA
00:59:21 Are the Denver Nuggets a Western Conference contender
01:04:47 Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, and Trae Young, whose ceiling is higher
01:14:42 Outro